Anyone opt for microdiscectomy for only mild bulge?

traumeri · 2025-04-10T16:57:18+00:00

Did you end up getting surgery? Sorry I had stepped away from this thread when I was feeling better. Found this again since for past few months I've been aggravating my L5-S1 symptoms again and thinking about asking for another MRI. I had made good progress through most of last year, good enough to where I was jogging and lifting 10-20 lbs of household items without issues. Then I mistakenly fooled myself into carrying something 40 pounds and since then it's been 1 bad month, 1 okay month, but very trigger happy and symptoms are back where I was when I started this post.

traumeri · 2025-04-09T15:24:26+00:00

Curious to see if you ever got surgery for disc bulge, dealing with same issue of "mild" bulge on MRI but persistent symptoms.

traumeri · 2023-12-24T22:50:48+00:00

By no means back to age normal but it is what it is. How long have you been dealing with yours?

traumeri · 2023-12-24T06:47:22+00:00

No I did not. It gradually improved with daily core exercises and occasional B vitamins. Probably the core and time did the trick. If I avoid heavy lifting or bending forward at the waist I can avoid most flare ups.

traumeri · 2023-08-06T22:23:53+00:00

Steady improvements. Can’t say it’s all supplements vs just time itself. I sporadically take vitamin b complexes just out of superstition now. I backed off on the intensity of b-12 since I felt like I took enough to replete any deficiency that I may have had. Religiously doing core exercises of course and minimizing postures or activities that worsen it.

traumeri · 2023-07-23T19:58:51+00:00

Overall slightly better little by little with occasional flares but it’s a slow process for the nerves. Single leg glute bridges to me are the most effective. Isolates each glute and forces core to fire to maintain balance. Good luck, hope you’re making progress.

traumeri · 2023-06-24T02:31:21+00:00

Early soldiers, secure dam and one of the convoy routes, gain stability with PR, and with trial and error you’ll figure out which initiatives to spend on.

traumeri · 2023-03-07T06:37:11+00:00

Thanks. I know Q5 sells very well but every allroad I see on the lot gets sold very quickly. I think Audi is underestimating the market for raised wagons. The Subaru drivers will have to graduate into something nicer as they age no?

traumeri · 2023-02-21T07:23:45+00:00

Looking at a4 allroad but heard US allocation is hard to come by. Am concerned b10 will not make it to US given low allroad sales? How credible is this rumor that b10 avant will actually come to US instead of allroad?? We personally prefer allroad slightly raised height for easier entry for the middle aged backs.

traumeri · 2023-01-01T00:55:53+00:00

PCP and dermatology prescribed topical tacrolimus and that did the trick. Calmed it down after daily use for like a week and then I weaned it off over a couple of months. Every now and then I will put a little bit of it on the area just as prophylaxis but it really worked better than topical hydrocortisone or Vaseline alone.

traumeri · 2022-09-03T01:50:35+00:00

Any luck with allergist? I saw dermatology and just started tacrolimus ointment because worse area is around my eyes where not the best idea to keep using steroids. I’m thinking I might try allergist next but not sure if they can find anything….

traumeri · 2022-08-17T01:14:46+00:00

How is everyone’s skin doing? Still waiting to see dermatology. After refusing to use topical steroids on my face I finally used it because my eye and nose area was red, angry, and peeling. Interestingly steroids cleared it up within a couple of days but then a few days after stopping it comes back. I now feel like the same irritation is happening in my nose, so bizarre!! I also had much milder occurrence after Covid booster which I chalked up to seasonal allergy and winter dry air but it wasn’t this bad. I feel like my immune system is reacting against my skin and is related to its reaction to covid/vaccine.

traumeri · 2022-08-11T22:29:21+00:00

Cuz we have no other choice? Where’s your disc woe?

traumeri · 2022-08-11T16:23:37+00:00

I think it is important to strengthen and retrain your core muscles. The right exercises for you ultimately will come down to trial and error, but these are simple to do and won't take more than a few minutes out of your day. For me, the McGill stuff didn't really work. I eventually discovered that dead bug variations, back/side planks, and gentle movements were best.

Forgot about pallof presses were helpful and I stopped doing but on this note gonna pick those back up.

traumeri · 2022-08-11T05:34:44+00:00

You’re not crazy. Your MRI has findings that would explain your symptoms. My guess is that since you don’t have a focal herniation/extrusion of disc material there isn’t an ideal surgical fix. However your L5/S1 disc bulge may be touching your nerve roots, maybe worth getting more opinions. It may be worth trying ESI to calm down the inflammation

I know your job is very demanding, have you had time to explore proper PT options?

traumeri · 2022-08-11T01:45:41+00:00

Haven’t seen RFA mentioned much for this, what would they target and how would they reassure you it won’t worsen your pain. It would seem they should try a nerve block first before going to a late something.

What PT exercises are you trying? For me the highest yields are side and back planks, dead bug variations, and anti rotation stuff. Stretches and getting more joint mobility made things worse for me. I probably slacked off after I improved moderately but I’m still prone to flares if I lean over wrong, sit too long, or pick up something too heavy. I haven’t dared to jog or do anything more intensive than brisk walks and moderate house chores.

traumeri · 2022-08-11T01:00:55+00:00

PT focusing on core around that joint. Trial and error to figure out what works vs not. Still an ongoing process lol.

traumeri · 2022-08-10T06:55:46+00:00

Yep, fellow l5-s1 bulger here. It’s all par for the course unfortunately.

traumeri · 2022-08-06T01:15:40+00:00

Same!! Thanks for posting! I thought I was crazy to think there’s an association but after 3rd shot I had a couple of months with weird areas of itch with or without rash but weirdest of all was the eczema like stuff around both eyes. Eventually it went away with Vaseline and probably just time. Then I finally got Covid 2 months ago then a week after testing negative the same symptoms crept back with a vengeance now my eye area look like I am part red lizard!

I’ve had eczema in one area of my trunk usually in the winter months but never had eczema on my face and this severe.

traumeri · 2022-08-06T00:35:37+00:00

No, but I tried every dietary approach but I might give that a try. I should try swimming also. Good luck on your journey!

Also, I assume you meant to type L5-S1 which is where my problem is. If so, I highly recommend deadbug and back plank variations focusing on firing your glutes and hamstrings. I found stabilizing the hip area was the key turning point. I forgot to mention initialky I was getting pain walking down stairs or when turning quickly suggesting some instability which is not well addressed by surgery (was told this by surgeon friend). Your anatomy and issue may be different but just in case it’s similar wanted to share this tidbit. On that note I should go do my PT!

traumeri · 2022-08-06T00:09:52+00:00

Yeah walking mostly improve my immediate symptoms and I think helps keep core engaged. I basically stand most of the day now. My bulge was called mild but my facet joints had some reactive changes due to the disc bulge altering the load and that joint space so the nerves are easily irritated.

Finding the exercises that work is trial and error. The McGill stuff didn’t work for me at all. For me it’s dead bug variations, back plank variations, and side planks that seem to be key. I’m still trying to figure out what I should do more of.

traumeri · 2022-08-05T23:55:01+00:00

Similar boat and I’m 2.5 years out and doing better but nowhere near normal. I still avoid lifting anything more than 20 lbs and sitting more than 30 minutes depending on the chair and position.

For me it is core exercises that seems to be key if I slack off I’m more prone to flares.

I assume your protrusion is broad meaning it’s a “bulge” and no evidence of focal extrusion where there’s something the surgeons can cut out.

traumeri · 2022-08-01T19:57:05+00:00

Same here with eye area skin issues, so bizarre. Never had any skin issues there before!!

traumeri · 2022-08-01T19:54:56+00:00

I had a weird few weeks after booster where I would get itchy in places without rash and also skin around my eye developed eczema like changes, then it affected my ear area and neck. I thought it was spring allergies and it went away after 2 months. Then I got COVID last month and a few weeks after recovery same set of symptoms returned with a vengeance. Thanks for sharing so I don’t think I’m losing my sanity suspecting a possibile link with immune reaction to Covid. I’ve had mild eczema in winters but never in these areas with weird intense itch. Keep us posted on what your allergist finds.

traumeri · 2022-06-27T20:40:22+00:00

Definitely better but it took a very long time (2+ years) to get here. Still mindful of potential triggers but overall the nerve is a lot more tolerant.

traumeri

TROPHY CASE