L4/L5 Central Disk Herniation What Should I Do?
Posted , 6 users are following.
Well 3 weeks after my MRI scan ive been told I have a Herniation on L4/L5 which explains the pins and needles in my leg. Ive been wearing a back brace which has helped massivley.
BUT now ive got the option if nerve pain killers for the rest of my life or keyhole surgery which comes with the normal worries. What happens if its infected, a nerve is cut.
So any advice would be great.
Thanks
0 likes, 11 replies
NicolaAnne1994 jamesbhuk
Posted
You have pretty much the same as me! Pain down my leg too! I haven't got a back brace yet my bulge/herniation is quite big! I am 20 years old and hardly any medication works for me! So I am hopefully going ahead with the surgery as it will cure it, whereas pain relief won't!
Also if you're on nerve pain killers for the rest of your life...what happens if/when your body becomes immune to it! Then you are stuck but obviously it is up to you! Have you spoken to a surgeon! The risks are very low though!
miguel65726 jamesbhuk
Posted
jamesbhuk miguel65726
Posted
miguel65726 jamesbhuk
Posted
jamesbhuk miguel65726
Posted
jamesbhuk
Posted
Ive got to speal to the doctors later next week and see what they say. Just a little worried about the outcome and heard alot of bad things. But I guess thats just normal to worry.
sonu123 jamesbhuk
Posted
Sometime back I started a discussion on similar issue. I suffered l5 s1 prolapse three minths back. Since then I cant stand on my left toe and there is sensory loss on back of my thigh. I tried lot of therapies but I got no relief. I m afraid of surgery. I cant give u my opinion as I am not the successful candidate but people advise to take conservative treatment like exercises and chiropractic treatment. All the best..
NicolaAnne1994 jamesbhuk
Posted
stuart1965 jamesbhuk
Posted
Sounds like you are in pretty much identical situation to myself right now.
I was offered a choice to go see Orthopedic or Neuro surgeons. I chose neuro as I don't have any bony involvement according to my MRI.
All the damage seems to be purely soft tissue, nerve and disc, so felt that Neurosurgeons would be better/more understanding of my position.
Pretty much a total acceptance that surgery followed up by physio, is really the only option open to me now to repair the sizeable prolapse I have.
I'm on slow release fentanyl patches now for pain control and although I still find some things painful or uncomfortable, the patches have made my life so much better. I'm actually living again!
Just awaiting my appointment to see the consultant now to discuss microdiscectomy surgery.
Hope you find answers soon too.
Stu
STD jamesbhuk
Posted
molly17598 jamesbhuk
Posted
I too have a prolapsed disc at L4/5.
Prior to this I was an extremely fit 43yr old.
Last year after 2 failed (and very painful nerve blocks) I had a microdiscectomy.
The pins and needles in my left buttock, leg and foot immediately disappeared and I went skiing (in my back brace) 2 months later.
Unfortunately, there has been a further prolapse in May of this year resulting in excruciating pain in the hips, buttocks, legs and feet but the intermittent shooting pains up and down the spine are horrific making even walking difficult. I have again had a failed nerve block so am awaiting surgery in 3wks time. There are risks but they are small - go for it!