Herniated disc L4L5

[tverdin]

Hello everyone, I am Tyler and I'm 27 years old. I was injured (my back) in April of this year (2017).

I got a MRI done and discovered that I have a herniated disc in my L4L5 along with a annular tear. I've seen two specialists and one (the company doctor) suggest that I get epidural shots and do physical therapy. The other (lawyer doctor) gave me 3 options for treatment.

1.) doing a nerve block (he wasn't big for it but it was an option)

2.) was to do a disc fusion through my back and put the rods in.

3.) was to do the alif procedure.

I am just curious to know if anyone on here has had any of those procedures done and how did it go?

It's been three months and I only seen to be getting worse. At first I only had pain in my back running down to my knees. Now it's running all the way down to my feet and my toes go numb from time to time. (Started about a week ago)

I even woke up with severe neck pain one day and just thought I slept wrong or something but that pain lasted three solid days. The fourth day it was a lot better but it's been over a week now and I still feel the pain in my neck. It is tolerable tho.

Just looking to hear from someone who's experienced the same things as me or similar. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

[Tc1980]

I had l4 l5 surgery after my disc herniated in was only 30 the sciatic pain is unbearable

Try a chiropractor for relief and heat and ice to manage the sciatica sadly I was on a cocktail of drugs to for pain

Gabepnetin really helped with nerve pain

I didn't have rods but the discetomy I had was amazing and I awoke free from leg pain

[tverdin in reply to Tc1980]

I was told that surgery was the only true way to fix the problem and actually prevent further injury or damage. Yeah I was given all the options of physical therapy, epidural shots, getting a nerve block, and going to see a chiropractor and see if he could do some adjusting. I'm thinking about the bigger picture here. What would be a long term solution? I know that not all herniations are the same and sometimes people can find relief from just physical therapy or other forms of non surgical treatment. For me, I had a very labor intense job, I always remained active with my children when I came home for my week off. The doctor I went see is probably as good of a doctor there is when it comes to backs. He's worked on professional athletes and he is very well known and respected down here in the New Orleans area. He told me that my herniation would be best fixed with a surgical approach. He said I can put the surgery off and try every other treatment out there but all I will be doing is prolonging the inevitable. which will be surgery. I figure I might as well get it done now while I'm young and still able. Thanks for your input I do appreciate it. I'm glad everything went well for you. Hopefully it stays that way.

[Emma2017]

Seems rather drastic to go for a fusion. I had L5/S1 herniation and tear in L4/L5. The tear healed on its own and the hernia was fixed with a microdiscectomy. I had some other problems which are being dealt with now. Maybe a second opinion might be best

[tverdin in reply to Emma2017]

I was told that surgery was the only true way to fix the problem and actually prevent further injury or damage. Yeah I was given all the options of physical therapy, epidural shots, getting a nerve block, and going to see a chiropractor and see if he could do some adjusting. I'm thinking about the bigger picture here. What would be a long term solution? I know that not all herniations are the same and sometimes people can find relief from just physical therapy or other forms of non surgical treatment. For me, I had a very labor intense job, I always remained active with my children when I came home for my week off. The doctor I went see is probably as good of a doctor there is when it comes to backs. He's worked on professional athletes and he is very well known and respected down here in the New Orleans area. He told me that my herniation would be best fixed with a surgical approach. He said I can put the surgery off and try every other treatment out there but all I will be doing is prolonging the inevitable. which will be surgery. I figure I might as well get it done now while I'm young and still able. Thanks for your input I do appreciate it. How is that back of yours?

[carol-1966]

I had exactly the same as you had l5 s1 fusion with cage rods and screws came off morphine and loads of other drugs felt great then 3 months later having sacral joint and coccyx pain back on all mess and crutches going out my mind with pain but before op I had injections physio manipulation ect nothing worked please consider all options before operation and don't go for the alif if you have op go through your back it's less painful and heal quicker good luck it's a hard road though

[tverdin in reply to carol-1966]

Wow! I am sorry to hear that. It definitely sucks to have back problems. My life hasn't been the same since and it only three months in. How old were you when you had the procedure? How was the recovery? Any advice for a smooth recovery? I was told the alif is more dangerous procedure wise but the recovery is half the time (12 weeks) and less painful than going through the back because they have to go through those back muscles and he said that's no joke! It takes longer to recover (6months) from that and it's a lot more painful. He told me I can try to do every other treatment out there before going with the surgery but all I will be doing is taking a risk in further injury and possibly more damage. Doing all of that would just prolong the inevitable which is surgery. I figure I might as well get it done while I'm still young.

Thanks for your input. Definitely appreciate it.

[carol-1966]

I was absolutely fine straight after surgery no pain was walking around only pain I had was from insision I had 2 4 inch scars either side of my spine at the site of operation you rest for 3 weeks no lifting bending ect then you increase your activity on the 4th week walking more each day at 6 weeks you start physio I got discharged because I was doing so well I felt great just listen to your body because you tire easy rest and walk as much as possible though the toughest part for me was not being able to pick my grand daughter up I was 49 when I had my operation hope all goes well for you and listen to your drs advice good luck

[Emma2017]

Why have only fusions been suggested (front or back) and not the far easier surgery on yourself of a microdiscectomy?