re: Has anyone here had a microdiscectomy for a herniated disc?

Spinal surgeries are extremely complicated and even many successful surgeries can come with long term effects. If you can stand it, I would wait for the nerve pain to begin to subside naturally or with an epidural. I’ve never had it but treated plenty of people who swear it’s extremely uncomfortable.

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I’m inclined to wait, but the nerve pain is unlike any other feeling. I probably would have don’t the surgery already if I knew the tear got repaired when they did the procedure. Since the tear stays open, I don’t see why I wouldn’t give it another two weeks.

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Get a targeted epidural steroid injection (transformational approach) to inject steroids right where that nerves comes out of the spinal canal. I would have to fail one or two of these before any type of surgery.

Anyone with lumbar nerve issues, try stretching* to see if that gets you any relief.

I did after having a horrible L4/5 issue and it completely resolved itself.

It took just a couple of days to start to see results.

tl/dr: Stretch: My hammys were too tight.


*check with a qualified medical professional before doing so

It depends on the symptoms.

I suffered with flare ups of back pain for years. 2.5 years ago I finally did it in. I went from ungodly pain to numbness and drop foot within about 3 days. I saw my neurosurgeon on Thursday, he admitted me and we did it Friday morning.

I woke up with literally 0 pain and have had none since. I did get my strength back but areas of my right leg are still pretty numb.

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I had one and glad I did. The pain was bad. I had it on Monday and was back at work the following Monday. The note from the doctor stated, I had to stand at my desk for three weeks and my employer held me to it which was harder than I expected but the pain was gone.

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same. Surgery in June 2000. Glad I got it done.

Been battling nerve pain in lower back for 10 years. Epidural injections 3x year nerve burn twice. Doctor told me last week going to surgeon should be next step. I’ve been managing pain but it’s not fun, with work I’m not sure surgery is best option for me. I sell floor coatings and often have to get on the floors for trainings in spiked shoes. Can’t be out of commission too long but damn it’s miserable working through it.
All that to say glad you posted this so I can read the comments on surgery experience.
Hope you get relief soon.

Had one of the discs in my neck replaced 3 years ago. I endured the intermittent pain for years. Then it got to the point where it was constant, like an electric shock going from my neck to the thumb on my left hand.

was surprised to find out they go through the front of the neck to fix something in the back. Recovery was just as they said it would be. Sore throat for a few days because they have to move everything out of the way.

Stayed in a neck brace for 2 weeks, couldn't lift anything. Slept in a recliner because the brace was too uncomfortable laying down.

Pain slowly decreased down to nothing.

Although I still get a little burn down the arm from time to time.

Back to doing everything I was doing before surgery.

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I have a significant bulging disc at c5-c6. Been dealing with nerve pain, numbness, muscle guarding for years. So much muscle guarding my spine in the neck is flat as a board, no curve whatsoever. Radiates down my arms and up into my face. Bad days I can barely function, just did a CESI and it's sort of helped. Have to figure out next steps, more shots or disc replacement.

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Neck surgery has a higher “success” rate than lower back surgery.

I had it done. Took two surgeries and, knock on wood, I’ve been good for 11 years now. I fought the pain for 10 years. Different doctors, therapy, injections, any relief was always very short lived. When I moved where I am now, saw a doc for about 5 years then I found out he was a quack and getting sued by numerous people. His answer was always pills.

Went to another doc and he did an MRI and said there was nothing wrong with me and outright accused me of trying to just get pills. I was about to hit him when he ran off out of the office. I was at a loss. My wife was even starting to doubt me.

Found a new doc at a very well regarded ortho practice. He sent for another MRI. He looked and said, yep, I see the issue and said let’s do this surgery. Did it and finally felt relief. After a couple of years started getting bad nerve pain down leg. He said he could fix. Went in and cleaned up and said there was just scar tissue that was causing the issue, and he found something. I had a crack in my spine between the facet joint and spine bone, what ever you call that, and it had always been exacerbating everything. No one had seen it before. He fixed that as well when he saw it. Been good since. Thank goodness for doc. Changed my life.

I’ve never sought out that other doc, but if I ever do run into him on the street I will whip his arse.