Symptoms worse than MRI findings

[jsewell]

Has anyone experienced this where there symptoms were pretty bad , yet the MRI did not show much wrong?
I definately have the symptoms of lumbar stenosis. I also have a compression fracture at L2 . I am fusing from C4 -L2 . My doc said that the fracture may be causing some of the symptoms , but not all. But he said the MRI shows some narrowing , but not a lot and he does not want to operate until he has the right spot. He is going to remove the screws at L2 and repair the fracture, but thinks i need some stenosis dealt with also. He is sending me to have an EMG of both legs first.
My symptoms are stiffness in my legs and low back, extremely tight hamstrings, a numb area on the left side of my leg, pain in buttocks , calf muscles, low back and some tingling in my feet when i am walking or hiking. I also have pain on the sides of both hips and quad weakness. Also if i am sitting on my bed with my legs extended they get numb.
I haven't picked up the actual report yet, just going on my doctor's eyeing the MRI. BAck in 2008 my hip MRI showed No arthritis , but when my hip surgeon went in to do a arthroscopic procedure, he found my hip destroyed by arthritis and the next step was a total hip replacement.

I will have to wait a few weeks to get the results of the EMG as my surgeon is getting married so i wanted to here what all of you had to say.
thanks
judy

Forgot to mention i get to have 2 hours a day free of my neck brace!!!!