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Bilateral Knee Numbness Leading to Loss of Standing/Walking
I had a previous Disc Herniation in the Lumber L4/5, which was Large, to the left and center, with stenosis. This led to difficulty standing/walking but over the next few years it did slow recess. This year, 2025, I started experiencing new symptoms - numbness in my left knee, quadricep, and shin. This started in August and over the next couple months my right knee and leg had the same symptoms. Over this time, I had significant muscle atrophy in my quads/legs. The symptoms increased until I was bedridden with the pain and trying to stop the numbness. I was unable to control it even laying in bed and went to the ER with urinary retention and inability to move my lower extremities. They did all 4 MRI test, (3 parts of the spine and brain). The scans did not show any reasons for the symptoms. I was discharged and have been bedridden since. My condition is positional when I stand, so laying down is the only position I can find relief / stop the symptoms from progressing. However, even laying down, it is a battle with trying to control the pain/inflammation/numbness. The doctors do not know what to do. From my symptoms, it seems obvious we have nerve compression. Yesterday, I had a standing MRI done and hoping we can see some reasons for the symptoms. My feet are quite cold and have the tingling and muscle spasms. If this is nerve compression, are their resources or studies for this type of injury that is not showing up on the standard laying down MRI?
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A standing MRI? How in the world do they do that? I've had somewhere between 15-20 MRI's in the past dozen years on my knees, hips, spine, and elbow, and I've never even heard of this procedure before. With the issues that you're having it's hard to believe that they can't determine the cause, that really sucks.
Have you had an EMG to test for nerve damage?
I had a STANDING MRI done Tuesday. It showed Bilateral Nerve Impingement at L5/L4. This impression matches the symptoms that I have had for months.
EMG studies were done while I was in the hospital and were "not normal". However, the doctors stated it was due to my cold feet. So the laying down MRI's and the EMG studies were not effective to identify the cause of my symptoms which were/are SEVERE.
It is a major relief that the cause was FINALLY documented. It was the combined brainstorming of my mother and I that led us to search for a STANDING MRI. My specific condition and symptoms were STRICTLY POSITIONAL (standing/walking). The standard laying down MRI lumbar scan places a pillow under your legs, which expands the spine into the MOST relaxed position (the only position that I can find relief right now). However, the standing or Gravity MRI, shows the true condition.
IMPRESSION:
1. Straightening of the normal lumbar lordosis consistent with strain in the appropriate clinical
circumstance.
2. L4-5: 2 to 3 mm broad-based disc herniation effaces the ventral surface of the thecal sac resulting
in moderate bilateral neural foraminal encroachment and bilateral exiting L4 nerve impingement in
conjunction with facet arthrosis.
3. L5-S1: 2 to 3 mm broad-based disc herniation effaces the ventral surface of the thecal sac
resulting in moderate right and mild-to-moderate left neural foraminal encroachment and bilateral
exiting L5 nerve impingement in conjunction with facet arthrosis."
In terms of lumbar nerve impingement, what resources are there for this specific condition?