Curious about numbness and muscle weakness

Hi Jared

I have had similar symptoms for a couple of years and are linked to stenosis and joint compression at L4/5.

In my case my symptoms have slowly worsened to the point that I have severe muscle wastage in my left calf muscle and the right calf muscle is going the same way.  Some of the toes in my right foot have lost movement and the toes on my left foot are slowly being affected in the same way.

When the symptoms first appeared I was offered spinal surgery but took second opinions and came to the conclusion that surgery offered no guarantees that I would recover the movement in my toes and regain muscle in the effected legs.  Add to this the risks associated with spinal surgery, particularly when I have a slight heart condition and high BP, I prefer to take my chances on living with the condition albeit I may find myself in a wheelchair in another 10 years or so.

All that said and done, I regularly follow the exercise regime recommended for those suffering from spinal stenosis and disc compression and it seems to be working for me and the progression of symptoms has slowed somewhat.

As for pain, I'm lucky enough not to suffer much from it and just mentally block it out.  I take no painkillers at all.

Other than that I look after my general fitness and don't suffer from obesity and never have, so my back and joints are not overstressed by having to much weight to bear which is something I've always been keen to avoid (getting fat) due to the early onset of arthritis in my knees and hips.

I cannot offer and will not offer advice on how to tackle your particular issues other than keep the weight off, find an exercise regime that works for you and if you have any doubts about whether to have surgery or not in the future, go and get second or even third opinions from other surgeons and particularly those that are specialist in the combined disciplines of neurology and orthopedics.  I like to think that surgeons who are skilled in both disciplines are the real experts when they are dealing with the structure and wiring, so to speak.

Good luck.  

I cannot relate to your condition as mine is due to severe nerve damage from a L5-S1 fusion and over growth of the fusion material (BMP). That said I will say to keep moving as much as you can just as rogcal stated. It may not be what you want to do, but don't let those muscles waste away. It's easier to keep them than to try and regain them.

I sometimes over do my limited activities and end up in bed with 8 plus pain like right now. Do go after those second and third opinions and avoid the surgery if possible. Do not know much about this minimal invasive stuff they are doing now but good luck and push yourself forward. I know how hard that is to do at times.