Richard
I had a herniated disk (L3-L4) and I know how your mother must be suffering. I don't understand your "fragment" description, however, since the disk is sort of like Jell-O encased in a fairly tough envelope. My disk was bulging, impinging on nerves. No surgery was necessary, and I am back to 98% normal with only slight pain along the top of my right thigh from time to time. My neurosurgeon prescribed epidural steroid injections. I was scheduled for three injections spaced a couple of weeks apart, but had so much relief after the first one I never needed the third one. That was well over a year ago. Don't forget prayer, though. There was also plenty of that.