Tes
I had surgery in 2004 for herniated discs L4 and L5. I was in severe pain and the surgery brought immediate relief. My Neurosurgeon, did a laminectomy and stenosis. I'm 57 years old and have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis and a degenerative back condition. I do have permanent nerve damage in my legs and feet from waiting too long to have the surgery, as it took two years to finally get the problem diagnosed correctly. The doctors I originally went to kept saying it was my arthritis flaring up. The herniated discs didn't show up on X-rays, but did show on the MRI that I eventually had. If the pain is severe and affects the sciatic nerve, then I would definitely recommend surgery. Though I still have some back pain, plus some numbness and burning feeling in my legs, feet and toes (due to nerve damage) when I over do it, but this pain may be controlled with Lortab (Hydroco) & Voltaren (an anti-inflamatory). Ask your doctor! Before the surgery, nothing could control the pain, but after the surgery I been able to live a normal life with limited/controlled pain. I was out of work for six weeks following the surgery, but months longer before I could walk any distance. My doctors have advised me against skiing, tennis and some of the other more strenuous things I used to enjoy, but otherwise I'm very active. Swimming is very helpful in getting back on your feet. I hope this helps out anyone reading it. Back surgery is a very serious thing, so be sure to get more than one opinion and be sure to use a Neurosurgeon.