Confused by symptoms

[BarbaraJ]

I get spasms of the small muscles that attach legs to pelvis, and fall, or almost fall.starts on the left,manageable, then moves to the right and I cannot walk. When muscles spasms the leg buckles I cannot put weight on it, I will fall down.  I am starting in now. This was preceded by a few weeks of daily migraines or tension headaches flowing into migraines. I can need a walker or cane for a few days then it passes. I am starting off now with left leg pain--a bit of joint pain and almost locking in knees and ankles too, but perhaps that if from walking oddly to keep from falling. Going down stairs most likely to cause the leg to go, so I go down sort of sideways. Most recent EMG shows chronic denervation of right leg quad nerve, indicating L4 radiculopathy, right arm carpal tunnel syndrome. Brain MRI 1/2003 normal. Bloodwork normal-never done when falling down a lot. History-two spinal fusions, one cervical fusion.1990 pain in SI joint and low back.1995 have severe right leg pain, can't put weight on leg. EMG and MRI show nerve impingement, spinal stenosis, hypertrophy of facet joints, etc., lamenectomy at L4-L5 -small partial fusion using donor bone. I never recover from surgery, drag leg around and have bad pain. Extension-flexion tests show that there is instability at L4-L5. Jan 1997 full fusion with pedicle screws, bars etc. at L4, L5 & S1. Fusion is up and down, not into pelvis. 6 months fine,then falling starts.

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-CS]

Your problem is very complex. In my opinion an abnormality of your spine needs to be excluded first. In order to do this, I would recommend you traveling to a large academic spine center. If you are in the area we have a wonderful program. You should bring your films with you to make the most of the visit. They should be able to assess you and then point you in the right direction. If this does not provide an answer then a muscle disorder should be evaluated. Good luck.

[BarbaraJ]

The rest of the story--1999 losing use of my hands, bad arm and hand pain. EMG and MRI show disc ruptured onto the spinal cord.  I have fusion with instrumentation again, this time at c6-7.   Hand pain is gone. Strong loss of fine motor skills now, 3 yrs later. Since cervical fusion I get violent neck and traps muscle spasms if I try to sit in regular chairs, or read. Using audiobooks and very high backed chair at computer. Can type but cannot write with pen clearly. I do have some "missing" letters when I try to physically write. I seem a bit foggy but not sure if that’s middle age! I have mild to moderate burning pain in the bottoms of my feet and running up my ankles and a little past, mostly at night when sitting in a recliner. If  I stand still long, or walk any distance I get strong low back pain and pain down the legs. Occasionally the leg will buckle then as well. I am not sure which direction to go in. I was just diagnosed with post polio syndrome and will discuss the recent flare up with the doctor at the clinic as well. The flare up in neck has mechanical causes (took online classes and reading textbooks at times) but the legs seem to come without reason.