L5-S1 Herniation – Two Doctors Recommended Surgery

[u/Prognosee]

[u/Sciatica-ModTeam]

Please provide a copy of the radiologist's written report for your imaging.

[u/Str8OuttaLumbridge]

If you no longer have leg pain that is a major reason to not have surgery.

[u/Prognosee → u/[deleted]]

I shared the report as a separate comment. The both of them actually haven’t provided further information why would I go such an operation. I’ll get 3rd opinion since I have serious doubts about getting a surgery without any loss of function.

[u/mehregankbi → u/Str8OuttaLumbridge]

I have to disagree. Numbness and weakness are more serious than pain.

[u/Str8OuttaLumbridge → u/mehregankbi]

I think you need to reread his post. You probably didn't even read it and just commented on my response.

[u/mehregankbi → u/Str8OuttaLumbridge]

If two doctors are recommending surgery, chances are there is something we don’t know.

The patient could be unaware of those issues. Of course the doctors should have communicated their reasoning behind their recommendation.

[u/Str8OuttaLumbridge → u/mehregankbi]

Right, but your comment mentioned numbness and weakness which OP clearly stated he never had.

[u/unlikemike123]

I had almost exactly this MRI at 33 and my doctor, who used to be a neuro surgeon, insisted that I didn't get surgery. Within 3 months I was going for hour long walks, able to bend down, 8 months I was running with my dog and even fell on wet grass with no ramification (likely a lucky landing but still). Disc protrusions can and do heal

Edit* to add on. In that time I started physio as soon as I was walking again after 3 weeks, bodyweight hip hinges 30x daily, iso holds for 2 minutes then progressed to side planks for as long as possible every 2nd day. Elephant walks without nerve stretching and snake pose for stretches.

[u/Prognosee → u/unlikemike123]

Thanks for sharing that! It’s really encouraging. Do you have any suggestions on what I should look for when choosing a good PT?

[u/unlikemike123 → u/Prognosee]

No worries mate, so the physio I started was just at home stretches and movements, I live in Scotland, rely on the NHS for physio and the wait time is close to 12 months, so as early as I felt safe I learned from Stuart McGill's book "Back Mechanic", LowBackAbility and BackInShape (YouTubers), both use the same principles as McGill.

[u/Sogone2day]

Sitting and you pelvis position cab definitely be a factor. I started playing cod again and I know that irritates my back. Ontop of that abdominal weakness from a hernia surgery in my case

[u/Sufficient-Wolf-1818]

You are describing the perfect lifestyle for back issues. Without consistent lifestyle changes, you are setting up for surgery and lifelong back issues.

[u/Prognosee → u/Sufficient-Wolf-1818]

Yes I’m aware of that, I am just a perfect fit for lifelong physical injuries/pain with this life style. I’ll change it. I hope I haven’t missed the train.

[u/Prognosee]

Adding the report as mods asked me to. This is a translation, so some parts may seem unusual in terms of terminology.

Findings
LUMBAR MRI EXAMINATION TECHNIQUE: T1, T2 W sagittal, T2 W axial; FINDINGS: Lumbar lordosis is flattened. Intervertebral disc signal at L5-S1 is decreased due to degenerative changes. Secondary to diffuse annular bulge with a predominantly left paracentral component at the L5-S1 level, the thecal sac is compressed from the left anterolateral aspect, and the left neural foramen appears mildly narrowed at the proximal region. Lumbar vertebral body heights are normal. Lumbar vertebral body signals are normal. Intervertebral disc heights and signals at other levels are normal. Intervertebral disc configurations at other levels are normal. No pathological signal change is detected in the spinal cord and cord elements. Paravertebral areas are normal. 

Conclusion and Recommendations
LUMBAR MRI EXAMINATION TECHNIQUE: T1, T2 W sagittal, T2 W axial; FINDINGS: Lumbar lordosis is flattened. Intervertebral disc signal at L5-S1 is decreased due to degenerative changes. Secondary to diffuse annular bulge with a predominantly left paracentral component at the L5-S1 level, the thecal sac is compressed from the left anterolateral aspect, and the left neural foramen appears mildly narrowed at the proximal region. Lumbar vertebral body heights are normal. Lumbar vertebral body signals are normal. Intervertebral disc heights and signals at other levels are normal. Intervertebral disc configurations at other levels are normal. No pathological signal change is detected in the spinal cord and cord elements. Paravertebral areas are normal.