New here and suffering from a herniated disc pressing on nerve

[topaz1968]

I am suffering from a slipped disc that is pressing on my sciatic nerve. It is a very old injury that has resurfaced. When I was treated before (over 20 years ago) I had been seeing a neurologist and had gotten an MRI. I had gone to therapy for months to avoid surgery. Recently, My orthopedic prescribed a round of prednisone since it had helped once before about a year ago. I re-injured it about 2 months ago and even with the prednisone, it is still bothering me. The pain is mostly in the back of my calf. I started physical therapy a couple weeks ago where they are showing me how to move correctly and how to strengthen my legs and stomach to help. However, when I did therapy in the past, they treated me very differently by using ultrasound and traction. I have suggested this to my therapist but they don't agree. I guess I am just looking for some more answers as to what my other options are. I am getting frustrated that I am not getting better. Has anyone had success with other treatments?

[Onedude]

I have been using inversion therapy to relieve pain and neuropathy. It works. I own a teeter.

[Sensei_Mark]

I feel your pain. I'm not a doctor, but I think they are not seeing enough. A slipped disc can be put back, but as this has resurfaced, and you get no relief, it sounds to me that the disc is now herniated, and no amount of therapy will help that. Try to get another scan to confirm.

The usual procedure for herniated discs that are causing problems, is a partial or full discectomy, where they remove part or all of the disc.

I hope this helps a little, but I don't want to worry you unnecessarily. Please go back to your doctor.