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Back & Neck Community

This patient support community is for discussions relating to back and neck problems, exercise, pain, sleeping, and physical therapy.
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numbness tingling

by williams123456, Aug 21, 2007 01:23PM
Hi,
  I have had numbness/tingling in my left leg for several years.
The numbness is unusual in that the skin is not numb, but my muscles feel numb.
It feels like I am wearing a tight wet suit on that leg.
This is the proprioceptive nerves, correct?
The bottom of the left and right foot also have the same numbness.
The right leg is ok above the foot.
There is also some pain in my lower back, worse when my left leg is acting up.
I have some difficulty determining the location of the left leg, and need to watch it
while walking.
It is worse when sitting, and there is a psychological affect also.
For instance, stuck in traffic or sitting in doctor office makes it worse.
There is no pain on straight leg raise.
Sometimes I will get a sciatic like shock when hyperextending my back.

  I have seen neurologists, orthopedic doctors and physical therapists over the years with little results.
Surprisingly, it has changed little over the years, a little worse now.
I like to sit at my computer, and this may have aggravated it.
Yesterday I changed that, and now I stand while on the computer.
Despite my aversion to doctors, I should get this diagnosed and treated.
I am not sure whether to see a neurologist, orthopedic MD or physiatrist MD.
These are some options:
1.  Stanford hospital is local.   The have someone that will help you find the
proper doctor (neurologist, ortho, physiatrist).
2.Soarspine is local.  They are a group of physiatrist MDs.
I think they would be good if there is a physical therapist solution.
Although I see that 2 out of the 5 doctors rate low on the *******.com site.
3.  Find a neurologist in private practice.    I think that private practice doctors
usually are more focused and empathetic than doctors in hospitals/clinics.
4.  Find an orthopedic dr in private practice.
5.  There is a new theory on back problems explained in: Spinal Stabilization by
Rick Jemmett.   It says that retraining the multifidus muscles are important.
That is my interpretation.    Anyhow, this is hard to follow on my own.
I could try to find a practitioner?

thanks for any comments
Member Comments (1)

by williams123456, Aug 21, 2007 01:36PM
Also:
1990 MRI:
Mild abnormal anular morphology with minimal anular bulges at L3-L4 and L4-L5.
Degeneration of the L5-S1 disc with a mild concentric anular bulge.
No focal herniation.

1990 EMG:
Electrophysiologic evidence suggestive of left L2 radiculopathy.
But, later the neurolgist summarized this report and said:
EMG demonstrates electrophysiologic evidence suggestive of a left L4 or L5 radiculopathy.
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