Operation for bulging discs

[WelshMoth]

Has anyone had an operation for
Bulging discs? Lumbar 1? I'm
Waiting for the hospital post-MRI appoint now but I may be offered an operation or injectionsz. Any advice?

I have bulging disc but manage with pain relief and physio. Could have injection. I was told only operate if v bad due to risks. How bad is urs?

I would try the injections first then discuss the operation. Unless you have discs that are causing nerve impingement or are close to herniating. I have had a multi level fusion with a few discectomies.

I had emergency surgery on L5/S1 disc prolapse, what do you want to know?

My GP thinks that the operation would be a good idea because I'm youngish (44) and active (well, uses to be) and my weight is ok.

I've been told by other back operation patients that they've never really regained strength and fitness since the op so that's put me off a bit.

I can barely lift my leg off the floor to dress and sneezing or
Coughing is agony. If I move suddenly , I'm in pain. Last March, a child crashed into me doing about 25mph and I broke 2 ribs (concussion, suspected broken nose) and that was a difficult 3 months afterwards. I'm wondering whether this back problem is related.

Either way, I want life to go back to normal. I'm quite sporty and I'm keen to resume some level of fitness without feeling g weak and in pain.

Do you have a physio? I really recommend doing core stability daily. And swimming or hydro therapy.
A lot of people put off surgery until the pain has taken over their life, but they're more likely to not see an improvement due to severe/irreparable nerve damage.

No physio (GP recommended Pilates but I struggled). GP is musculoskeletal specialist so am a bit about the no physio. Will secondary care refer me or should I pay privately?

Thanks for the info re the operation. Forearmed is forewarned.

My dh had 2 prolapsed discs.

Over a 4 year period he had physio, chiropractic and 5 nerve root injections (no help whatsoever). He had 4 years of popping strong pain killers, muscle wastage, being unable to walk more than a few metres without severe pain - it was awful. He took up cycling as it was the only exercise he could do without pain.

He was seeing an orthopaedic surgeon who recommended an open discectomy with spinal fusion but my dh was worried about the long recovery and the fact he was told he'd never have full mobility.

We did lots of research and he eventually had a minimally invasive micro discectomy done by a neurosurgeon. The scar is about 1cm. He was in and out of hospital on the same day and had no recovery time whatsoever, in fact he did a 100 mile bike ride 2 days later (consultant said it would be fine).

This was over 2 years ago and he hasn't had a moment of pain since. He can run again and circuit train. It changed his life.

I had surgery on L4/5 10 years ago and whilst the agonising nerve pain is gone I am less mobile and flexible and on a bad day I would use the term "disabled". I have had lots of physio which does help but I have back pain or leg pain most days and occasional spasms and one dead leg. I was 49 and not too fit at the time of the op. I don't regret it (I had no choice) as the pain is less and I was housebound prior to the op but I had no idea I would never recover fully (80% is what I was promised and eventually achieved). I'd research thoroughly first.

I'd say try physio first - ask your GP to refer you (or go private if you don't want the wait). Why go through surgery if you may not need it?

Thanks everyone - that's great advice. I'd definitely prefer to avoid surgery but the micro procedure sounds advantageous over the more traditional surgery.

Research and Physio for now I think. It's manageable now so I don't want to make it worse.

My right arm is weaker too and prone to pain when throwing. wonder if it's related?

Right arm will not be related the lumbar disc problems. Perhaps get a physio referral for that too whilst you're at the GP.

Hi op my dh has had spinal surgery for herniated discs
I'm sorry to say it hasn't helped him at all

He's now on the waiting list for a pain blocker to be put in but Drs arent confident it will work.

I'm sorry I can't be more helpful.

Myself, my stepbrother and a good friend have all had microdesectomies L4/L5 or L5/S1. All very successful but after at least a year of physio / recommended strengthening excercises first as surgery should always be the last option.

I have had a few occasions since where I’ve slipped a disc but it’s usually resolved itself. I generally try to do some exercise every day now to maintain and also am very careful about my posture when sitting/ driving. If I’m watching a movie for example I’ll tend to lie on couch rather than sit badly.

Op was fine but you are not supposed to sit for 3 weeks after. You can stand, lie or perch on a high stool but have to keep your back fairly straight til it heals. I was off work for a month.

I would recommend if you are in pain (even low grade sciatic pain is so tiring) and have exhausted the non surgical options - physio and exercise.

Have you had an MRI?

Thanks Blue, yes the MRI showed issues with S5/L1 discs. Wondering whether to request r be seen privately. I want to get started on this asap. Would be really keen to see a Physio to get some ideas.

Definitely try all other options before surgery. A lot depends on what exactly's wrong, but obviously the risk with back pain is the more pain you're in, the less you do, so the weaker your back becomes. I had three slipped discs, but the very bottom one had disintegrated completely meaning surgery was the only option. That's really unusual though. They drilled into my spine, put a screw into it and then after the op, the bone fused round it (where the disc should have been). They left the other two discs completely alone and since the op (2009), I've been much better at exercising and developing core strength, which has pretty much fixed the problem. My back will always be weak and I still have low level pain each evening when tired (fixed with a hot water bottle mostly). It definitely proved to me though that a slipped disc doesn't always need surgery. I now run 5km at least once a week and swim, cycle etc too. I would genuinely never have imagined I'd ever be able to do that. I just thought I'd post to give a few people some hope. Find out what's wrong (via an MRI), get the right physio advice based on that, then give exercise its best shot.

I have 2 bulging discs but they're in my neck so operation is v risky. I am not in daily pain, though, but I do get nasty flare ups and have more or less permanent weakness in left arm. They offered injections but the risks put me off and they said it would not necessarily work.

On the other hand, I know people who've had successful lumbar operations and, if you are in daily pain and are finding it difficult to function, I'd go for it.

My dh has had lower spinal surgery, he initially had the injections into the discs to control pain, which worked amazingly, but after another look, he got called back and told he needed surgery as the discs where pressing onto his bladder and leg nerves, so without surgery, he was risking losing control of his bladder, and also possibly being in a wheel chair.

I saw neurosurgeon who said I have slipped lumbar and cervical. From running with pram and lifting Hoover! I was in v bad pain for a year awaiting MRI taking a lot of pain killers and struggling to sleep. I was supposed to have lumbar injection but got pregnant again. They said it was diagnostic. I had two rounds of physio which helped at the time. I now do Pilates, swim and run. Some days leg is numb and pain in sacro illeac and to foot with sciatica and others pretty good. I do some exercises for back every day and watch posture. Many people I. My family have had ops and they did need it. I think if it impairs your functioning maybe but pain to a certain level can be worked with . Would not op on cervical I don't think and I get weakness in right arm and some grip issues but again use physio for this

i had surgery back in 2001. This followed 6 months of agony and an awful lot of painkillers. It would take me an hour to be able to get out of bed and to the bathroom and back. Carried on working throughout as it kept me moving....

Anyway, I found the surgery an immediate improvement. The pain went straight away and once the usual post op restrictions were gone (no lifting etc), it's been ok. Did manage to do some further damage sneezing but a steroid injection sorted that.

DD had 2 herniated discs at 18 (the result of a summer job at a poorly staffed care home). Operation was seriously under discussion as she started to develop cauda equina pain. However the surgery is also a risk and her surgeons were concerned that it might not resolve the issue. Surgery would also have required at least 12 weeks sick leave in her final year at school.

In the end she decided to try the physio option first. The had a special exercise programme, did swimming and water training - the school was also helpful and allowed her to work from home a lot. Her back recovered - it took about 6 months. She still gets a little pain if she sits for long periods (full time student) but is controlled with ibuprofen, the exercises and cycling to Uni.

I had to have the surgery. Was a 15mm herniated disc at L5/S1 plus cauda equina. My op was just under 5hrs and my scar about 2.5 inches but that's an extreme case!
No bending, lifting or twisting for 6 weeks. I was back on a horse at 8 weeks and in the gym. Still have altered sensation in my leg and foot, but in the surgeons words "you're not incontinent or paralysed so we have done well"
I did the recovery alone as I live by myself and it was slightly tricky but manageable. No leg pain but I have back pain and am having another MRI today to check healing