Fight or flight - I am running scared

Good day,
I am a 52 yr old female who has been diagnosed with prominent lumbar disc disease from L2-L5(MRI), and moderate stenosis.  Early in the spring I had injections for back pain, pain is now OK, but have loss of feeling in my left leg.  It used to keep me up at night with cramps, cramps have stopped, but now there is numbness. I have to look at my foot to know where it is, It seems like I have lost sensory feedback to a degree in my leg. I can feel difference between sharp and dull, (EMG was OK).  But light touches I may not feel.  My leg frequently feels like it needs to be stretched, and it feels tight, similar to a blood pessure cuff.  I stumble alot and walk with a cane.  My inner thigh has pain and have little feeling during sexual relations.  I can lift my right leg easily, but have to watch/concentrate moving my left.  I have a neurologist appt but not for 2 more weeks.  Any ideas on what may be going on?  I Do not have diabities.  Sometimes my foot hurts.  I have an awkward gate but no tingling.  Help me PLease!!

[Christopher R Newey, DO]

Thanks for using the forum. I am happy to address your questions, and my answer will be based on the information you provided here. Please make sure you recognize that this forum is for educational purposes only, and it does not substitute for a formal office visit with a doctor.

Without the ability to examine and obtain a history, I can not tell you what the exact cause of the symptoms is. However I will try to provide you with some useful information.

Based on your MRI report and your symptoms, you may have a condition called radiculopathy.

To go over some basics, the spinal cord is encased by bones called vertebra. Nerves start to form as they come off the spinal cord and exit through holes formed between the vertebra. If a nerve is compressed on as it exits through these holes, particularly in an area called the nerve root, a radiculopathy results. The compression could be due to arthritis of the spine or due to a herniated disc or other lesions. The symptoms of a radiculopathy include pain at the level of the problem (i.e. neck or back etc) and pain that may radiate down the arm or leg (depending on where the problem is). In more advanced cases, muscle weakness or sensory symptoms such as tingling or numbness may occur. A radiculopathy is often diagnosed based on history, physical examination, and MRI of the spine, which you have already completed. Additional workup may include an EMG/NCS to evaluate the nerves for injury and to localize the injury.

Treatment may include medications (non-steroidals such as advil), sometimes steroids if there is swelling (edema), temperature therapy (hot or cold packs), stretching and controlled physical therapy, muscle relaxants, and so on, these are best prescribed by an experienced physician, each has its own indications.

In a minority of patients, surgery needs to be done urgently. This often is the case when the herniated disc is pressing on the spinal cord itself. Surgery is emergent so that permanent spinal cord injury does not occur. Another indication for urgent surgery is if there is evidence that a nerve is being compressed on to the point that its function is impaired. Symptoms suggesting the need for urgent surgery includes muscle weakness, loss of bowel or bladder control, loss of sensation, particularly in the pelvis and severe and progressive pain.

I suggest you follow up with the neurologist to determine further workup such as an EMG/NCS, but you may ultimately need to be evaluated by a spine surgeon.

Thank you for this opportunity to answer your questions, I hope you find the information I have provided useful, good luck.