Anyone have their leg give out? - ChronicPainSite Forums

Hi Sara, I have had the same problem w my left leg going out from under me. It has never given me any warning. I walk w 2 canes to help me from falling, and my balance isn't the greatest either so the canes help w that also. I've asked my GP about this and he has never really said much about it. He records it when it does happen.

.

I'm wondering if you get these other feelings I get, like when I'm walking every now and again I get this feeling like cold water being thrown at my leg. It's so real that I have to look down, it only happens for a couple of seconds. Another one is when I'm getting up from a crouched position I get like an electrical shock in the back of my leg, It only lasts a second or two, but scary as hell the first couple of times it happens. This doesn't happen very often also. So these are the other two things that happen w my left leg.

Sara, it might be a good idea if you got yourself at least one cane to help you when this happens. Cause I know about it not giving any warning when it happens. I see another surgeon when I get reassessed I'm going to ask him about this falling thing as I'm not getting any good answers from my GP. he does say the water and this electric feeling are because of the nerves being damaged. Well I hope this helped a bit. Let me know how you are doing or what do you think about what I have written. Take care Sara, hope to hear from you soon.

Roni

1st injured Feb, 1997. Was told it was "Soft Tissue" and sent back to work - no X-rays
Late 1997 attended 1st “Rehab Program” to strengthen back. Mid ‘98 PCP took me off work. Tried going back to work over the next couple years, mostly off work due to pain.
June 2000, met with OS for first time. Did MRI , damage was L5-S1 totally blown out. Surgery done Jan, 2001.
Another Rehab program late 2001, attempted to go back to work early 2002. Slipped on water, fell flat on back – screw fusion broke.
Went to 3rd Rehab program summer 2002.
Oct 2003 – 2nd Surgery, due to broken screw, had to operate from the front.
No improvement. Attended 4th Rehab program in 2004, at time it was decided NO work.
March 2006, had 3rd Surgery, this time fusion and instrumentation from Si to L3.
June 2008 Surgeon finally admitted I had Failed Back Surgery.
August 2009 WCB Finally put me on Long Term Disability

Ronnie and Sara,

I have had my leg nearly give out, but have not gone to the ground. I have also had that feeling of water on my leg. Another feeling I will get from time to time is the feeling the is a bug biting or crwaling on my leg...when i look there is nothing there. My PM credits the damaged S1 nerve root and inflamation around it. I have had a few edpidural injections to bring down the inflamation & relieve the pain, and have another scheduled next week.

Anna

Knowing is not enough we must apply. Willing is not enough we must do.
- Bruce Lee

Work injury 9/06, MRI showed herniated L5-S1, buldges at L3-L4-L5; sciatica; PT, 3 ESI's, pain meds
2/07 Micro-D/Laminectomy L5-S1; back to work 3 weeks later
After 5 months the disk space colapsed, pain increased intesity & frequency
Discogram 4/08;
Surgery: 360 interbody fusion w/ hardware L5-S1 on 5/12/08
More PT; pain meds for Nerve pain, sciatica, back pain.
July 27, 2009 Spinal Cord Stimulator installed.

Hello Sara.

I get a lot of the feelings you and Roni have described in both my legs from time to time. I have 3 bulging discs in my lumbar spine, and arthritis in my lumbar spine. Those problems put together mean that a lot of the nerves going to my legs just dont have the room they need to function properly. So my left leg is often weak, I get sciatica in both my legs, I get a lot of bad nerve pain in my right thigh, and I get the feelings that youve described in both legs. I am worried that one day my legs will become so weak that I will fall like you have. I use one cane so far to help with my balance and the weakness in my left leg.

I hope that you do get to see that ortho-surgeon soon and that he or she helps you. I'm sorry that you are suffering like this. It definitely sounds nerve related. Yesterday I began icing my low back at the suggestion of a few members here. It has helped with the nerve pain in my right thigh. Maybe trying that could help you too? It might be worth a shot.

Sorry I cant help you all that much, I hope you start to feel better and get the help you need with this problem. Please let us know what happens.

Thoracic spine:
1.)Dextroconvex curvature of thoracic spine (Scoliosis), Degree unknown
2.) 4 Schmorl’s nodes:
      -T9-T10
      -T10-T11
      -T11-T12
      -T12-L1
3.) 2 possible interosseous hemangiomas:
     T7 vertebral body and T2 vertebral body
4.) Aberrant right subclavian artery
Cause unknown, possibly from birth
...
Lumbar Spine:
1.) Left paracentral disc extrusion. T11-T12. Indents left ventral aspect of the thecal sac
2.) Multilevel disc bulges:
     L3-L4, indents thecal sac
     L4-L5, indents thecal sac
     L5-S1, touching L5 nerve root causing bilateral sciatica
3.) Disc dessication at L3-L4, L4-L5, L5-S1.
4) Arthiritis of the facet joints of the lumbar spine
...
Other Musculoskeletal Conditions:
1.) General Hypermobility Syndrome
2.) Left shoulder instability with possible bursitis
3.) Slight nerve damage in left elbow
4.) Distorted ribcage
5.) Carpal Tunnel syndrome and tendonitis in right wrist
...

Other:
Fibromyalgia

Treatments (non-medicinal):

Pool therapy as often as possible

Medications:
Amitriptyline- 150mg/night
Ibuprofen- 2400-3200mg/day
Methocarbamol- 1500mg 3x/day
Tramadol- 100mg 3x/day
Vicodin- 7.5mg/750mg 1 or 2 pills 3x/day if needed
Lyrica- 50mg 3x/day
Cymbalta- 30mg 1x/day
Vitamin D- 50MIU 2x/week

Hi Sara,

Yes, I too suffer from all of the above. I've actually had some pretty nasty falls over the past couple of years as a result of this, and countless stumbles. If I'm using my crutches or walking stick when it happens then I can usually regain my balance again, if I'm not, then it's pot luck whether or not I actually end up on the floor. Keep a record of how often this is happening to you so you have something to show your Dr next time you see them.

Hope things improve for you, Spicey

37 yrs old, chronic pain since 1993
Decompression/stabilisation with Dynesys Apr'04, revision with PLIF Oct'08, several ESI's.
Still suffering with bilateral nerve pains in legs, plus in neck, arms & hands since Jul'09. SCS installed Apr'10. No significant improvement yet
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Everyone so far is absolutely describing "nerve" symptoms. L5 and S1 are commonly involved and will give symptoms including numbness, tingling, and weakness in the lower part of the leg and foot. Symptoms in the thigh, including weakness, are often due to problems in the mid to upper lumbar spine. I would make sure your doctors are considering injury to those segments and nerves. A bigger concern is when it occurs in both legs, as this may indicate some issue with the spinal cord itself.

As a side note it is also possible to have old knee or hip injuries that are causing the limb to "give out" and have the nerve pain come from the back.

Hi thanks Dr. Barone- I had an EMG/nerve test and unfortunately they couldn't complete it. It was too painful for me but I have a peroneal vs radiculopathy from the sciatic nerve and didn't read my results until recently as I was told it was normal from my Dr. Being a Nurse should have looked at it before now. Does it make a difference? As for hip I get nerve blocks as well as in my SI joints and facet joints and epidural. I'm having less numbness and pain due to shots and Cymbalta. Sometimes I get stiffness in my other ankle, I asked for them to check me for MS as my Grandmother had it but they say no. Whatever. Just want to get back to work and wish they did surgery when I had a herniated L5-S1. I would be back to work by now. 2-1/2 years of pain is just not right... Sara

Mild DDD throughout lumbar spine disabling unable to work. Facet joint arthropy lumbar spine. Cervical C6-7 nerve impinging. Healed L5-S1 herniated disc and tear recently. Off work for 2yrs 6 months since back injury.Treatments - Oxycontin 40-2-3x day,lyrica,cymbalta,voltaran,flexeril.PT,aqua therapy, acupuncture, TENs, infrared platinum heating pad. Last epi,fji's,SI and hip injections next set ESI and fji's and nerve blocks #5 Sept. 2/2010

i have had this trouble of legs giving out for years. i cant walk without crutches but even with crutches a muscle will suddenly go and i try to catch myself. the best way for me to combat this problem is to loosen up the muscles i intend on using. for instance if i have to go down a few stairs i will do about ten half knee bends with each leg. i will raise up on my toes ten time and stretch my legs back ten times. if i'm careful and loosen up, the legs never seem to give out!.....pete

7 spine surgeries for neck, leg and back pain caused by stenosis.

Hi Pete, It's great to see you posting! Welcome back!

I hope we get to see more of your post. I have that

problem of my leg giving out. I'll have to give it a try,

but sometimes I'm surprised that there is no elevator

and have to take the stairs and don't have time for

streches.....Well..... I'm going to have to try something,

but I usually have no idea this is going to happen. I'll sure

have to try something. I can't stand on my toes or my heels.

Thanks for the info. It's great to have you posting.

Sara how are you doing? Haven't heard from you in a while.

I hope things are going pretty good for you.

Roni

1st injured Feb, 1997. Was told it was "Soft Tissue" and sent back to work - no X-rays
Late 1997 attended 1st “Rehab Program” to strengthen back. Mid ‘98 PCP took me off work. Tried going back to work over the next couple years, mostly off work due to pain.
June 2000, met with OS for first time. Did MRI , damage was L5-S1 totally blown out. Surgery done Jan, 2001.
Another Rehab program late 2001, attempted to go back to work early 2002. Slipped on water, fell flat on back – screw fusion broke.
Went to 3rd Rehab program summer 2002.
Oct 2003 – 2nd Surgery, due to broken screw, had to operate from the front.
No improvement. Attended 4th Rehab program in 2004, at time it was decided NO work.
March 2006, had 3rd Surgery, this time fusion and instrumentation from Si to L3.
June 2008 Surgeon finally admitted I had Failed Back Surgery.
August 2009 WCB Finally put me on Long Term Disability

hi sara

nice to see you too and i hope the shot helps.

most of us know what body part gives out. the most important thing is to protect ourselves from serious injury. dont feel self conscious about bringing along a cane or crutches. i've even worn a helmut on occasion. walking on grass is less likely to hurt you than pavement. the head or butt hitting the grass wont hurt or injure like a hard surface. exercise and stretch as best you can to prevent those falls and know your limitations. also dont rush. better slow than fast and fall! with proper prep you can prevent injury. we all have had enough of those and need some movement without fear of falling!

7 spine surgeries for neck, leg and back pain caused by stenosis.

Hi Pete,
No I don't wear special shoes, but i have a pair of Birkenstock's which are very
comfortable. I walk w two canes as my left leg aches really bad and gets sharp
pains down my leg to the toes sometimes if I don't watch myself.

Alberta has been having quite a cool summer, in fact it feels like spring instead

of summer. I'm glad to know you have been having nice warm weather. We have

been staying here in Canmore for the summer and last night we were the coldest in

North America if you can believe that, around 29 or so F. BRRRRrrrrrrrrr LOL.

Roni

1st injured Feb, 1997. Was told it was "Soft Tissue" and sent back to work - no X-rays
Late 1997 attended 1st “Rehab Program” to strengthen back. Mid ‘98 PCP took me off work. Tried going back to work over the next couple years, mostly off work due to pain.
June 2000, met with OS for first time. Did MRI , damage was L5-S1 totally blown out. Surgery done Jan, 2001.
Another Rehab program late 2001, attempted to go back to work early 2002. Slipped on water, fell flat on back – screw fusion broke.
Went to 3rd Rehab program summer 2002.
Oct 2003 – 2nd Surgery, due to broken screw, had to operate from the front.
No improvement. Attended 4th Rehab program in 2004, at time it was decided NO work.
March 2006, had 3rd Surgery, this time fusion and instrumentation from Si to L3.
June 2008 Surgeon finally admitted I had Failed Back Surgery.
August 2009 WCB Finally put me on Long Term Disability


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