Back injury/pain into turned numb leg, please help!

About a month ago, my dad injured his back trying to push my grandfather up a very steep ramp for a doctors appointment. It leveled off after a few days, and he was still able to get around. About a week later he pushed a set of tires + wheels into the back of his car, pushed too far, and pulled something.

At first he had terrible back pain, but could put weight on his feet, and stand and walk on his own two feet. PCP prescribed prednisone, and muscle relaxers. After a few days on these, the back pain went to almost none. Instead, one leg, starting below the hip, and down to his ankle became very numb. Below that is also numb, but is terribly painful. He can't put any weight on both feet, or it gets worse.

PCP did the preliminary checks, and determined it probably wasn't a blood clot. He really needed an MRI, but insurance required an X-Ray, which he had. Result was "some arthritis" but the cause of the back pain was inconclusive. They wouldn't approve the MRI, but required physical therapy first. I think that would only make things worse. But it's the only chance of getting an MRI approved.

Since the numbness started, he has also tried 2 different pain medicines, along with continuing with the muscle relaxer. Neither of the pain meds he has tried are helping much if any. I don't remember the first, but the pain med he is trying now, is tramadol. Pain has been about the same for a few weeks now, if not getting slowly worse.

He was always a VERY active person, never sitting still for long. Now, he's been bedridden for about 3 weeks, and has to either walk around with a single cane, or crutches.

Is there anything he can do to help with his pain? Any other meds I can suggest he try with his PCP? He has tried plenty of heat (heating pads) without much relief. Hasn't tried a cold bath or cold pack yet, but I've read those can help.

It's upsetting that my dad can't get out of bed any more, to do much more than go to the bathroom, and that's a major chore. It's probably even more upsetting to him, as active as he used to be.

Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Tweet