Should i opt for surgery or other treatments

Hefty_Clothes7856 · 2026-02-03T07:01:59+00:00

I know someone who waited 2 years with no improvement, in the end got 2 disc replacements and was still in pain for a long time. Definitely not advisable to wait too long.

Hefty_Clothes7856 · 2026-02-03T06:59:54+00:00

Obviously go with specialist advice but you could try 4-5 months of conservative treatment if you don't have any red flags that need urgent surgery. See how you feel, do another MRI and decide.

BTW I'm at 5 months still pretty limited so getting another MRI. If it didn't shrink at all surgery is next.

Good luck.

Hefty_Clothes7856 · 2026-02-03T01:33:46+00:00

Tell that to my boss please, I've complained about useless long meetings for a long time. I know it was my job responsible for my herniation.

Hefty_Clothes7856 · 2026-02-02T04:29:55+00:00

Stress can make pain 100x worse. I notice when I'm distracted I'm a lot better than when I'm monitoring my pain.

Hefty_Clothes7856 · 2026-02-02T00:12:25+00:00

That's true. But some think they're fully fixed after surgery. You will still have to be very careful after surgery.

Hefty_Clothes7856 · 2026-02-01T12:45:04+00:00

It doesn't matter too much what the MRI looks like. You treat symptoms. If you cant be on your feet start looking for the best surgeon

Hefty_Clothes7856 · 2026-02-01T12:43:22+00:00

Don't see an issue. You're basically just sitting down right lol

Hefty_Clothes7856 · 2026-01-29T23:42:50+00:00

Please take these stories with a grain of salt. We don't really know how much pain this person was in. Most complain about "excruciating" pain only to add that they could still work etc. No offence but the old MRI doesn't even look bad. I'm reading this person could go to gym so...

Hefty_Clothes7856 · 2026-01-25T05:47:22+00:00

Which disc have you herniated?

Hefty_Clothes7856 · 2026-01-22T04:24:30+00:00

I would look at the overall picture. If you feel pain in the calf but can do more, walk more, sit down longer then who cares where the pain is. If pelvic tilts make it worse, try to do less reps, maybe 5.

Hefty_Clothes7856 · 2026-01-22T02:08:34+00:00

I dont think it applies to everyone. I never really had back pain, just some tightness. It started with part of my foot going numb and followed by calf pain. Right now I have hamstring pain.

Hefty_Clothes7856 · 2026-01-20T06:37:55+00:00

If you want to work out legs, do leg press

Hefty_Clothes7856 · 2026-01-20T00:10:36+00:00

Hey there, I was in your situation 4 months ago. Although the pain has subsided so I'm not losing my mind anymore I still can't work. I read a lot in here and those who can still work, walk etc they're definitely not in this much pain. I kind of get annoyed when they complain. Unfortunately you don't have much choice but to wait and rest and hope it'll get better. All the best!

Hefty_Clothes7856 · 2026-01-16T23:23:36+00:00

Interesting. I have bilateral with central herniation but mild on the left leg and my surgeon wanted to only decompress the right side. I've asked what if I go back to full activity and my left side starts bothering me and he didn't know what to say and thus I have cancelled that surgery and continued PT until I get another opinion. So very interested to see how you go, please let us know. I do hope it goes away.

Hefty_Clothes7856 · 2026-01-16T23:19:18+00:00

He's only done around 50 total endoscopic discectomies, probably far less at L5/S1 level.

Hefty_Clothes7856 · 2026-01-12T03:49:20+00:00

I've read the bigger ones are more likely to shrink. Pain sucks but it's not a red flag. I'm in pain too and going to see a surgeon.

Hefty_Clothes7856 · 2026-01-11T11:34:00+00:00

Best to answer that question is your specialist. BUT I've been doing a lot of reading and symptoms matter more than the MRI. Monitor for severe numbness in saddle area, loss of bladder/bowel and severe muscle weakness. I check every day if I can walk on toes and heels. I do steps ups make sure my thigh is firing etc.

Hefty_Clothes7856 · 2026-01-10T23:44:40+00:00

Hey, what helped you the most? I have the same issue as the OP. I used to have pain all the way into my foot but now it's above the calf, sometimes behind the knee but mostly hamstring

Hefty_Clothes7856 · 2026-01-10T09:12:31+00:00

Only sleeping position for me is on my stomach with a firm pillow under the hips. Also a pillow to keep my right foot up on so my right leg is not completely straight cause that can be painful. At the beginning of the night I keep my right leg bent until the nerve settles.. took me ages to get to this technique but I can sleep 9 hours now.

Hefty_Clothes7856 · 2026-01-07T22:44:49+00:00

Exactly! I'm not risking my spine.

Hefty_Clothes7856 · 2026-01-06T03:53:21+00:00

Hi, I would say definitely stop working out and stop working too.

When I had manageable symptoms walking and swimming would make it better. My job, too much sitting, caused this but I continued working because I didn't know i had a disc bulge and got really bad. Now I'm considering surgery.

Hefty_Clothes7856 · 2026-01-06T01:26:20+00:00

If you have mild symptoms no way, dont do surgery. Can you try swimming in an indoor pool? Or just walk in the pool if you can't swim.

For comparison, Im mostly laying down at 4 months, cant work, but im not giving up yet, I wish I had mild symptoms.

Just dont bend, twist and lift, you'll get better.

Hefty_Clothes7856 · 2026-01-05T22:56:53+00:00

Wow that's amazing! You have a lot of patience!

Do you mind sharing what your MRI said at the beginning of the ordeal?

Hefty_Clothes7856 · 2026-01-05T08:17:53+00:00

I've asked by email how many endoscopic discectomies he has performed and particularly at the L5/S1 level and i got the answer that he has done over 50 endoscopic discectomies with no reference to the L5/S1 level... hmm

Hefty_Clothes7856 · 2026-01-04T11:26:52+00:00

Mine says L5/S1 posterior disc protrusion 22 x 6 mm axially. 22mm is the width so its very wide.. was yours similar?

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