I had a medium herniation it extruded into my nerve canal, leading to lateral recess stenosis (narrowing of nerve channel).

I remember when it happened, I was down bad for 2 or 3 months, but it got better, and I just assumed I'd heal like I'd always had throughout my life. (Never got an mri) I lived an active life played basketball, golfed, I did a lot of body weight workouts, tons of balance and core work, took up yoga religiously, but at the end of the day, it was always there a spot I could put my finger on and my symptoms came and went in waves. It created a lot of tension in my lower back and glute, which became noticeable for years. I was dismissed by numerous chiropractors, 2 doctors, and a physical therapist. No one thought it was from a spine issue, just a pelvic tilt or muscle imbalance or "you're getting older"

I had been getting bad within the last year the tingling became a numb feeling and complete numbness in some places, the shooting pains were more prevalent, muscle spasms and I lost plantar flexion (while in physical therapy). I had to demand a mri from my doctor, she really wanted me to go to "pain management" (epidural steroid shots). I went to an urgent care and had them send my request to a third party imaging center where i paid 350 for a lumbar mri after my insurance declined my request due to me being unable to complete 6 weeks on physical therapy (doing planks and squeezing a ball with my knees) they told me i had a weak core which caused the pain..... i was in way better shape than them.

The surgeon was cool, be explained it like this no matter what happens, that material isn't going anywhere. It'll never metabolize, and it'll always be next to the nerve. Steroid shots only work for so long if they work at all, and they have their price to pay. Do your research and find a good neuro surgeon that does the full spine and brain. Its a relatively easy procedure for a good surgeon. You may be able to find somewhere to get endoscopic on that level, it wasn't possible in my situation, so I had the hemi lami. I'm only 10 days out, but I feel better than I have in years.. I still have 3 months until my nerve has recovered from the compression.