In trouble due to lumbar stenosis

[Charles]

Folks, I am experiencing a number of symptoms and would appreciate your feedback. In contrast to a number of posters on this forum I am not experiencing intense or significant pain but a feeling of weakness of my right leg as if it is about to collapse. My biggest problem is that when I walk my right leg feels very weak (in fact I have not had any clinical evidence of loss of strength) as if it is not working in tandem with my left. This symptom is making my life miserable However, after walking for a period of time these symptoms significantly dissipate and my stride and feelings of weakness in the left leg dissipate considerably. I have purchased the Backbuilder book and implemented the exercises but the press up and knee to chest exercise appear to have resulted in sciatic-like pain in the left buttock and numbness in the right foot and patches of the right leg. I have ceased these exercises and these symptoms appear to have been dissipated! I have also been evaluated by a Mckenzie PT and the exercises he prescribed were similar to the ones in the backbuilder book. I still perform the standing back bent exercise, the hamstring leg stretch on my back, the standing quadricep stretch and the standing calve stretch with no negative effects.

I am obviously very concerned about my difficulty in ambulating and need to obtain a more definitive understanding as to what I am dealing with. My question is at this point is whether the exercises in the backbuilders book are appropriate for an individual with lumbar stenosis versus a bulging or herniated disc or does it not matter? In addition who should I see for followup with my symptoms? An Orthopedic Surgeon to determine if I need a followup MRI, a hands on Physiatrist/Osteopath, a PT or should I return to my Neurologist for his followup?

Thanks for your time.

[Steven]

Hi Charles,

I would go back to your neurologist since your residual symptoms are neurological. He would be able to perform tests to determine just exactly what your situation is.

With sciatica, it's not uncommon for muscle weakness to linger for many months. Most people regain their strength over time, but it all depends on whether there was any permanent damage done to the nerve root in question.

It becomes a waiting game, I'm afraid.

Steven

[Guest]

Hi Charles,

I would go back to your neurologist since your residual symptoms are neurological. He would be able to perform tests to determine just exactly what your situation is.

With sciatica, it's not uncommon for muscle weakness to linger for many months. Most people regain their strength over time, but it all depends on whether there was any permanent damage done to the nerve root in question.

It becomes a waiting game, I'm afraid.

Steven

Hi Steven and thanks for your feedback.

Although I am perceiving feelings of weakness, in fact I was recently (about four weeks ago) examined by the Neurologist and there was no clinical evidence of neuromuscular weakness or deficits. I was told that I had foraminal narrowing or the cervical spine and had a bulge in the lumbar region. Three weeks ago I had an EMG that revealed no evidence of neuropathy or radiculopathy. My Neurologist did not even offer me a prescription for PT but I requested it and he wrote the script.

So at this time I need to grap a handle on this perceived feeling of weakness that is adversely affecting my walking and the quality of my life. Thanks again.