Muscle relaxers for leg spasms - and leg bracing for stability

Posted by upnort @upnort, Mar 25 3:11pm

Dealing with thoracic myelopathy (numbness from feet to waist).
Recently I have developed frequent leg spasms that cause my leg to jerk and spasm to the point that my knee "gives out" - setting the stage for frequent near falls (I use a rollator - 4 wheel walker). The spasms have become so severe - and my fear of falling ever-present - that I now use a power chair to get around the house and out and about.
I have tried 3 injections of botox, 3 months apart, without any reduction in right leg spasms. I have also tried a 6 week course of a muscle relaxer - baclafen - again without reduction of spasms. As a matter of fact, the baclafen seemed to have further weakened muscles in my right leg, with right knee continuing to "buckle/give out" at will.
Can muscle relaxers cause further muscle weakness over time?
And would a Knee-Ankle-Foot-Orthosis (KFAO) help stabalize my weak right leg so I can get back to my walker (and abandon my wheel chair)?

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dlydailyhope | @dlydailyhope | Mar 26 1:17pm

@upnort
Did you have spine surgery to decompress your spinal cord? It is very scary to worry about falling and can empathize with you.

I have cervical degenerative myelopathy and have many symptoms below my neck. I had ACDF surgery on c5-c6 and it relieved many symptoms but I now need to get c6-c7 done due to a new herniated disc pressing on my spinal cord. It affects my walking/stability due to weakness and lack of control of arms/hands/hips/legs and bladder.

upnort | @upnort | Mar 26 2:35pm

I did not have any surgery. Working with a neurologist and physical medicine/rehabilitation from Mayo Clinic - Rochester, MN, the current health care plan for me is to work on symptomatic management. No identification has been established as to the origin/cause of this form of myelopathy over a 6 year period. In that time period, my spinal lesion has not changed, but my symptoms have become progressive. Spasticity is the current culprit, causing a major limitation in my mobility. My right leg spasms have increased in amount and intensity, causing my right leg to "buckle" . Again, I am now using a wheelchair instead of a walker due to severe leg spasms. Unfortunately, my current two Mayo physicians do not have answers for my situation. Any recommendations anyone has would be greatly appreciated. As an aside, I am the primary caregiver for my wife, who is in the late middle stage of her 10-1/2 year battle with Alzheimer's. Obviously, I am unable to give 100% care for her given my current health status. Down but not out - all of us must find the inner strength to keep on keeping on!