re: Herniated disc L5: Orthopedist or neurologist help

I ruptured the disc between L4 and L5, in 2004. Was on my back for nearly four weeks. Physical therapy actually made it worse. I had the microdiscectomy performed by a neurosurgeon. As a neurologist I know put it - yes, an orthopedist can do the surgery, but if you're going to have someone poking around your spinal cord with a razor blade, don't you think it's a good idea to go with the guy who had the extra training on nerve surgery?

The pain did not go away automatically afterwards. Of course, results will vary depending on the degree of nerve damage done. Doc said my sciatic nerve was almost black from being squeezed between the two discs. I still have spots in my legs with no feeling.