Yes, there are tons of nerves in the Lumbar region that look like a pony tail. Cauda Equina Syndrome is considered an emergency. Susanm 73 has a multitude of things going on in her Thoracic region and only a skilled specialist can tell her what her syymtoms are coming from based on her MRI.
Just an FYI, on the lumbar spine nerves, they are a collection of nerves that go out from the lumbar spine and down the legs, and if they are damaged and misfire, it can cause some leg muscles to contract irregularly, among other symptoms like numbness. Here is a link to a picture of those nerves:
http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/physician-resources/patient-education-materials/atlas-of-human-body/nervous-system-groups_print.html
No, my Myelopathy (neuro) symptoms were diagnosed to be from my cervical spine spinal cord compression .Thats why I had surgery there. I have enough Thoracic spinal cord compression to cause alot of similar problems but it was determined to be from my neck. Thoracic would not cause the multitude of symptoms I am having. Ie. Dizziness is from the neck. Generally, spinal cord compression symptoms are going to cause neuro symptoms below the level of compression. I don't know about the Lumbar region causing twitches. You do not have a spinal cord at L4-5 so even though the symptoms are similar a skilled Neurosurgeon or Orthpedic Spinal Specialist would have to figure that out based on your MRI and your symptoms.
I do have an excellant surgeon in NYC God forbid I do need Thoracic surgery. I would not do the surgery unless I developed Myelpathy from the spinal cord compression. Myelopathy is usually progressive and debilitating.Ie.-you can be paralysed from it.Rarely are you paralysed from Lumbar problems due to the lack of spinal cord past the L1 level.
I have lots of spinal problems too, both thoracic and lumbar. While your spinal cord involvement at T-8 and 9 could be affecting your legs, it is also possible that the disc disease in the lumbar spine is what's causing your legs to twitch. That's how come mine twitch and hurt. I take two medicines to keep that straight, altho I'm still kind of stiff, but anyway could be drugs might help you out. Also, could be they can at least repair the lumbar spine for you, to see if that helps your legs any.
So you ended up having the thorasic surgery?
I understand your plight. I just had ACDF surgery, but I also have enough spinal cord compression in my Thoracic to cause Myelopathy but my neck caused that first. What it sounds like you have is very serious and can cause permanent damage and probably will progress at some point to needing a walker, wheelchair or cane. Thoracic surgeries are very tricky and would require a very skilled surgeon who has done alot of these and can tell you his/her success rate.
I still have muscle twitching, spasms and cramping. I also get achy arms, dizziness and a kazillion other things. My weakness now is located at knee level and below. I had the symptoms for 5.5 months and have to wait 6-12 months to see if the decompression surgery worked and if my symptoms/damage is permanent. The longer you delay surgery the greater the liklihood of not getting it all back.Let me know how you do.