Back and leg pain and numbness

  I'm a 42 yr. old male that has been experiencing lower back pain, leg and foot pain and numbness. My back, Rt. hip,leg and foot go numb when I stand for 15-20 minutes. I have had back x-rays, EMG that didn't show any problems. The Dr's `impressions' from an MRI were, "Central and RT. paracentral herniated disk at L4-L5 taht appears to be a subligamentous herniation, comprising the Rt. nerve root. Central and minimally left paracentral disk herniation, L5-S1. Coexisting circumferential disk bulge at L5-S1. Bilateral neural foraminal narrowing at L5-S1. Schmorl nodes in all of lumbar vertabrae except L5. Moderate facet arthropathy at L5-S1. No canal stenosis is seen'. Myelogram showed no `disease' but some spinal stenosis. Spinal epidural cortisone treatments made pain worse. Dr's now want me to have circulation test, and bone scans done. They don't think surgery would help. I have been on pain medications and muscle relaxers since problem arose early April of this year. (Problem started while walking.)Any thoughts/and or recomendations would be greatly appreciated. This has gone on too long! I need some relief. Thank You!
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Dear LEG,
The leg pain and numbness you feel on the right may be due to the disc at L4-5.  This could cause impingement on the L5 nerve root causing pain in the lateral aspect of the knee and calf, along with numbness in a similar distribution.  The fact that this occurs on one side only would support a disc as the origin of the problem.  This, when associated with a significant disc at the L4-5 level on the MRI would be an indication for surgery.  The MRI, however, wasn't terribly impressive per your report, nor was the myelogram.
Your physicians were correct in trying to find supporting evidence for nerve impingement in getting the EMG.  The vascular studies are reasonable to rule out a vascular cause for your problems.  
At this point it is difficult to suggest any further tests that would help diagnose your problem.  The best suggestion may be that you get a second opinion from a spine surgeon.  This way you can be sure that the diagnosis and care plan are appropriate.
Good luck.