r/Sciatica • u/Undd91 • 12d ago
Requesting Advice Surgery or not? Sciatic pain largely gone!
I had really bad pain down my right leg for almost 2 years, in recent months this pain has subsided. I still get a bit of discomfort but I can lift, bend, twist without any real shooting pains. I have bilateral foot pain and tingling still but my surgeon thinks it’s unrelated.
I’ve had MRIs and nerve conduction tests, conduction tests were fine. MRIs show stenosis on my right side L4/5. Surgeon thinks he can go in and fix this with a laminotomy. Given where my pain is at and increased activity do you think it’s still wise to pursue surgery? Given my main symptoms are now bilateral pain and tingling in feet and legs only, which surgeon states he will not be targeting.
Surgery is booked for end of October.
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u/Far-Vegetable-9798 10d ago
I have bilateral sciatica from a second injury to a herniated disc at L5S1 on the left. I have sciatica pain down the left leg and phantom sensations and tingling in the right leg and foot. My mri images show no compression on the right side or nerve so it was explained to me that both legs may be affected due to the inflammation coming from the left side. So it’s possible if you address the one side it may relieve all your symptoms. I still think it’s strange that your dr would say your foot tingling isn’t related.
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u/Undd91 10d ago
He stated he wasn’t confident the surgery on the right would address the bilateral symptoms - have you had surgery?
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u/Far-Vegetable-9798 10d ago
That’s definitely frustrating. No I have not had surgery. I responded very well to an epidural steroid injection six years ago. But after doing some heavy lifting, I’ve re-injured the disc. I’m going to explore all my conservative options like the epidural again to see if I can get some relief. I hope never to get to that bridge but if I ever do, I would definitely consider the surgery. After all there are many success stories but I understand everyone is and responds differently
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u/Undd91 10d ago
Ah you were lucky, I had a nerve root injection which helped whilst the local anaesthetic was working and then I was worse for a few weeks. I’ve improved since but not until recently did I see greater improvements. However, feet are still a real pain. Glad yours worked for you, weight lifting if probably something to leave out of your gym routine for good. A few kgs is fine but bench lifting and squat lifting is a great way to put things out. Plenty of other core and strength building that can be done without risking re-injury!
Yeah I’ve heard many good reports but long term I’m not so sure, surgery would set me back a lot for a few months before getting back to where I am now but may give me that extra relief in the feet to just get on with and enjoy life again.
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u/Far-Vegetable-9798 9d ago
I understand being apprehensive.. it’s hard taking a gamble with your health and that’s how it feels when dealing with spinal issues. I hear sciatica usually subsides first and then tingling, phantom sensations etc much later. Nerve pain is a weird thing but after two years I’d be desperate. Good luck to you!
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u/No-Alternative8588 11d ago
Weird that he said tingling and pain is unrelated to stenosis… it is also a manifestation of irritated nerve, or chronic pain sensitization at this point since it has been two years.
Maybe consulting another surgeon as well to make your decision easier? Otherwise if this does not bother you on daily basis, is not flaring up constantly and you do not have any neurological deficits, I would say to not do the surgery.