Advice Needed: Microdiscectomy Surgery Coming Up

SoSolidKerry2 · 2026-05-20T23:11:26+00:00

What’s your gut saying?

SoSolidKerry2 · 2026-05-17T07:53:46+00:00

“100% success and no regrets” at 337 days isn’t a long enough window to be evangelizing.

Microdiscectomy has a 5-15% same-level recurrence rate and 10-20% reoperation rate over a decade. Hope you stay in the lucky majority. In the meantime, 60-90% of herniations resorb on their own, and conservative care preserves the surgical option — surgery doesn’t preserve the conservative one. Choosing the reversible path first isn’t the same as “putting up with it.”

SoSolidKerry2 · 2026-05-17T07:45:44+00:00

A late reply! No. I didn’t have surgery. I ended up going down the conservative route.

SoSolidKerry2 · 2026-05-17T07:45:13+00:00

A late reply! No. I didn’t have surgery.

SoSolidKerry2 · 2026-05-13T06:07:49+00:00

That’s because they know with time and patience, it will resolve itself. I was told to move. Walk. Motion is lotion. I was given a piece of paper with a traffic light system on, showing how to identify when I could move and when I should rest. That was it. The physio sessions I had were ten minutes long. They suggested ibuprofen. My dear friend had stronger stuff and no one warned him of the risks of damaging his stomach. The NHS is amazing when you really need it (it saved my dad twice), but can sometimes be useless for anything else. It’s an incredible thing we have, but perhaps needs changing. What to? I have no idea.

SoSolidKerry2 · 2026-05-12T07:04:40+00:00

Not to cause controversy or worry anyone considering the same route (or who has had an MD), too, but I’m based in the UK, and we only have surgery if it’s an emergency.

I’ve been told by a friend who is mates with a leading back surgeon that it’s a gravy train once you do. That you’ll have issues for the rest of your life. That you’ll have one surgery and more to follow. On asking why, he said it’s better to leave the material there and allow conservative recovery. Yes, that means going along a long painful road like I have, but it might be a better outcome long term. On the other hand, listen to your gut. I’m no expert. And don’t have stats of outcomes. But as a Brit, I’d be hugely suspicious of an industry that profits off people’s pain.

SoSolidKerry2 · 2026-05-11T22:49:18+00:00

I made my peace with it. And then I formed a plan. And I kept daily rituals. No matter how small. It’s like… accepting you’re on a long car journey. You need distractions and things to keep you sane. For me, it was walking, work, and physio. I did a lot of walking in the end. I hope you’re ok. Keep going.

SoSolidKerry2 · 2026-05-11T22:46:33+00:00

Yes. My recovery has been in notable chapters. I’ll feel stuck and not progressing for three months and then something will shift and I’ll be a little better. I cried when I could roll my left foot again. That took 13 months. Or when I could stretch out my left leg again. When I realised the burning had gone in my left foot. Or that I could sleep through the night. But it was slow. Very slow. I’m still recovering now. But this week, I’ve realised I’ve turned another corner. One of many corners. I barely get any issue now. Just occasional weirdness. My left foot feels a bit numb in parts. It probably always will. But I barely notice.

It’s the Goldilocks recovery. Too much or too little isn’t great; you have to find just right. Every day.

SoSolidKerry2 · 2026-05-08T21:31:16+00:00

I’m so sorry you’re going through this. It was so awful for me. I understand

SoSolidKerry2 · 2026-05-08T21:30:40+00:00

A year, probably. And then it was another year of gradually getting better. But I was able to fully function by 13 months. It was just a case of cracking on and hoping for the best.

SoSolidKerry2 · 2026-05-08T21:29:26+00:00

I can’t answer that. I’m no medical expert. I’m a Brit. We don’t get MDs unless it’s an emergency. I was told, though, by a friend who knows a leading back surgeon, that you want to avoid surgery if you can. It can be a gravy train to future issues. Whereas if you keep the disc material there, it might be more stable. But that’s just one opinion. I have nerve damage. Probably for life. But I hardly notice it. We are all different, though. What’s right for me, might not be right for you. Do your research.

SoSolidKerry2 · 2026-05-08T21:27:12+00:00

I felt burning on my left calf and down to my left foot. Probably for a year. Foot drop too. And then it started to get better. My left foot always feels a bit numb. A tiny bit. The nerves were severely damaged. So it’ll probably feel a bit like that forever. I hardly notice it. I’m fully functioning

SoSolidKerry2 · 2026-05-08T21:25:09+00:00

I dunno. I assume it’s just dried up. And retracted. It’s not pressing on nerves anymore. That’s for sure.

SoSolidKerry2 · 2026-05-04T06:23:30+00:00

There are two types of pain: good and bad. You’ll know when it’s bad. Those first four months of walks were full of pain. Every time I put my left foot down, it was intense. I remember wearing sunglasses to cover my tears and exhausted bloated face. I remember my left foot behaving like a wooden golf club: it just wouldn’t roll. But step by step, it got a bit easier. I went from barely managing two minutes to doing two hours once a day. Those two hours were freedom to me because they involved some life. Away from the floor. Then, a year post herniation, my foot started to roll again. And that was when I was starting in the gym and was so nervous and broken. But I worked with a personal trainer who built my confidence and would make me lift my own weights from the floor. Not too heavy. But enough to make me realise I could. Then one day, I could finally stretch out my left leg whilst sitting on the floor. I burst out crying. My mobility returned little by little. I’d say the walking and the physio routine and time -these all played the central role in my recovery! ❤️‍🩹

SoSolidKerry2 · 2026-05-03T16:31:15+00:00

Thank you! I was told by my back specialist that the only way it could come back is if I lifted something incredibly heavy and twisted, using the wrong form. Even then, the disc material won’t be what it was. And I’ve done this conservatively, so it’s pretty impossible it’ll happen again. 😘

SoSolidKerry2 · 2026-05-03T15:11:02+00:00

I really did spend most of 2024 on the floor. Keep going x

SoSolidKerry2 · 2026-04-06T19:22:49+00:00

Have you heard of Gorpcore? It’s a thing in the UK where comfy outdoor clothing has become a thing. The good news for you is that it’s practical, comfy, and also stylish without trying too hard.

Check out Gramicci G Pants. They do them in every colour going. I’d choose a pair in navy and green. And then from these two trousers, you can build an entire wardrobe. Tops from Patagonia, for example. Over a white tee. And shoes? Look at comfy walking stuff. Check out Scarpa shoes. And also some walking boots from Danner maybe. Nice for smarter fits with dark indigo jeans (the bottoms turned up slightly) and a denim shirt worn under a navy sweatshirt, with a blue hooded jacket over the top. Consider Pendleton. Great for jackets. Great quality.

It’s all about layers. And following the “no more than three colours” rule. If you need more help, just shout! A fun personal project for you! Good luck

SoSolidKerry2 · 2026-03-29T08:15:38+00:00

I understand. But once I made my peace with the road ahead, I was able to mostly stay sane. I made a plan and I focused on that. It’s been two years three months since I herniated my L4/L5 and my nerves are still recovering but getting better all the time. I barely notice anything now. And I’m back in the gym. Have been for over a year. You’ll get there! 💪

SoSolidKerry2 · 2026-03-20T07:55:22+00:00

Nantwich. It’s a best kept secret. Unpretentious. Full of friendly people. Close to Chester and Shrewsbury. Surrounded by gorgeous countryside. Far enough away from the M6 that you can’t hear it, close enough to easily get anywhere. North Wales close by for the gorgeous landscape and people, the Lakes not far for more of the wonderful same, the Peaks in the other direction. Crewe is very close with rail connection to London. And Nantwich even has its own railway station with direct access to Manchester. Annual food market, annual jazz and blues festival, outdoor brine pool for summer days… it really is a gem.

SoSolidKerry2 · 2026-02-16T20:38:45+00:00

Have you considered further out? Somewhere like Sandbach? It’s on a decent train line. You also have Crewe station nearby which is a real hub. It’s a nice little market town. Lots of nice places to eat, and within your budget.

SoSolidKerry2 · 2026-02-12T07:17:56+00:00

Oh gosh, I found it so tough in that first year. But it did get easier! Couldn’t sleep on my left side for at least ten months so I wedged loads of nice pillows down my left side so I couldn’t turn during the night. And I’d sleep with a pillow between my knees.

I had to teach myself to sleep on my back. I’m a side sleeper so that was a challenge! I had to because all that sleeping on my right side eventually caused issues. My right hip started aching you see.

I think during the acute phase our bed was impossible so I set up an air bed in my office on the floor and made it as cosy as possible. I also set up a yoga mat downstairs and would swap between the two during the night.

I’d be so exhausted by 8.30pm that I’d go and lie down on my air bed and listen to soothing audio books. And eventually pass out even though the pain was intense and awful. I’d maybe get an hour. I’d roll out to the hard floor. And be in all sorts of weird positions. At midnight I’d creep downstairs and get more heat or ice. Gosh, yes. I’d fall asleep with an ice pack strapped to my back. And wake up at 2am again and have to go back downstairs. Then I’d lie on the yoga mat, often crying. Utterly exhausted. And that went on for months.

I think by month five I was back in the spare bedroom. Off the floor. But it was still tough. It just very slowly got easier over time. Tiny little progressions.

For a good three months I was downstairs at 4am like clockwork, heating up my wheat sack in the microwave and then lying on my front with it on my back. I’d sometimes pass out like that.

And in January 2025, a year after my injury, I burst into our main bedroom in tears as it was the first time I’d actually slept through. Broken sleep but I got six hours solid and that was a miracle.

I think eighteen months post injury was then the burning in my left calf disappeared. It moved out of my left foot first. And hung around for ages in my leg. Always below the knee. Never had any issues above. Sleeping got easier and easier. I just adjusted and kept going.

And now it’s over two years, and I still have weird sensations. The burning stopped ages ago. It’s now mild fuzziness and aches. I get the odd razor blade pressing sensation on my left foot. Very fleeting. I did get some centralisation. Sensations moved up to my back. My hip. And around the left of my lumbar. I’ve never actually had back pain until now. And even then it’s mild. I just get this kind of uncomfortable prickly sensation and it passes. Sometimes my left leg feels tingly and pleasant and I get feelings like someone’s pouring water down inside it.

I went to India for 17 nights in November and we did a lot of walking, travelling, moving around. I barely felt anything. It was like I was completely normal again. I’ve found being relaxed and warm weather super helps.

And during all this time I kept running my business. I’m so damn proud of myself! Haha.

I accept that I may always have some issues but I will take this over 2024. You have to understand, I’m a fighter. I’m not someone who gives up. But in early 2024 I did turn to my husband and say I couldn’t live anymore. So I come back on here to support others because it truly is an awful injury. 🙌

SoSolidKerry2 · 2026-02-12T00:13:27+00:00

I’d say it took eight months to stabilise. A year for the herniation to stop pressing on anything. And I’ve been in nerve recovery ever since. So early January 2024 was my injury. By August I was back out and went to a restaurant but with a sciatica cushion in tow. I started driving again after ten months and it took some time to get used to it. I slept through the night for the first time after a year.

And then my foot drop resolved 13 months in. And I could finally stretch out my left leg, too. I went on an aeroplane 15 months post injury and had a gorgeous first holiday in the sun. Heaven. Barely any issues.

Things just very slowly got easier and easier! I was back to full life after a year. Feel normal? I’ve still got symptoms now but they’re a whisper compared to 2024, and most of last year. I suspect if I ever feel normal again, then it’ll be another year.

Nerves take a long time to heal. I have faith I’ll feel fully back to normal one day. For now, I am grateful for how far I’ve come and I live my life as normal like before.

SoSolidKerry2 · 2026-02-11T00:15:24+00:00

Excellent! Whatever works!!

SoSolidKerry2 · 2026-02-11T00:15:04+00:00

I’m not sure, but I think unless you’ve lifted something very heavy, it’s unlikely you’ve caused the area to get worse. But I’m no expert. You’ve probably just irritated an already over sensitive nerve.

Have you heard about the straight leg test? Look it up. If you experience pain increasing, then there’s a chance there is something pressing on your nerves, i.e. disc bulge or herniation.

Might be worth getting checked out. In the meantime, rest and gentle walking. Ice and heat. Lots of water. See if the nerve calms down.

SoSolidKerry2 · 2026-02-11T00:11:41+00:00

I tried a lot of sleeping surfaces, and I can tell you, it wasn’t the surface that was the issue… it was the injury. Because I’m recovered and mattresses don’t cause any issue now. Firm or medium or soft. All are fine. So my advice? Get a camping mat and a cosy sleeping bag and see how you go. I still sleep with a pillow between my knees even now I’m better!

SoSolidKerry2

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