My wife has a herniated disc in her lower spine. It is putting a lot of pressure on her nerves and cause a lot of discomfort and shooting pain. She is going in on Thursday for a steroid shot at/near the disc. Sounds like this, if successful, is only a temporary solution. The ultimate solution is surgery to cut away the protruded portion of the disc. Has anyone experienced this? Have any input or advice? Thanks

I had a herniated disc on my L5/S1 about 8 years ago. I did the steroid shots and pain management for a few months before insurance approved the surgery. Surgery was simple and easy. I felt immediate relief. I was very scared beforehand, but its really not that bad.

Also, I haven't had any issues since the surgery.

I avoided surgery for 3 years. Did PT, injections, everything that was recommended. Once the disc material is squeezed out it doesn't go back in. Jelly don't go back in the biscuit is what i was told. So if it's actually herniated and not just bulging do the surgery. Microdiscectomy. Easy surgery

I herniated my L5/S1 when I was 11. Now 35. Never had surgery or any shots. I was a heavy weight lifter throughout high school which I think actually helped as I had built up my core and lower body to compensate.

As I quit lifting I started to notice more issues (stiffness when standing during football games). My most recent physical I told the doc I've been feeling it more often so he did a quick X-ray and it was clearly bone on bone.

All that to say, I made it a long time before it's really become much of an annoyance and even now, it's not extremely painful, more of just a dull, annoying ache. So the lack of surgery and shots has worked out fine for me so far.

Sweet Kitten Feet said:

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I avoided surgery for 3 years. Did PT, injections, everything that was recommended. Once the disc material is squeezed out it doesn't go back in. Jelly don't go back in the biscuit is what i was told. So if it's actually herniated and not just bulging do the surgery. Microdiscectomy. Easy surgery

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this is pretty much what the Dr told my wife.

My mom had this happen in her 60's and she recovered fine after treatment but it did take some time and involve withdrawals from pain opiates (not addiction, just prescribed safe use for a longer time.)

Could be temporary or could be long term (meaning relief from the epidural steroid injections). Vast majority of people over the age of 40 has protruding/bulging discs but many have zero pain from it. They only treat people who are symptomatic.

Hopefully the shots give her good relief. There are a lot of good therapies available today and a lot of minimally invasive surgeries, too.

As one of the first relies said the goal is to get the inflammation to settle down and stop putting pressure on the nerves. Sometimes this happens with one or a few ESI's and patients are good to go for a long time afterwards.

There is no putting the gel back in, but the disc can heal. Once they start cutting, there is oftentimes even less disc left vs left on its own to heal + the risk of scar tissue that pushes on nerves instead. That said, sometimes that disc is so blown out or the pain is so severe that surgery is the only real option. But again, if one is able to function, it's usually worth allowing the body a shot at it with the help of shots and other methods to reduce inflammation along with PT. But that doesn't work for everyone.

Surgeons like to cut; that should not be a surprise. So when you have one telling you "let's try this other thing first", usually best to listen and give it a shot.

If its just inflammation, steroid epidural will help calm things down. Then it may be lifestyle adjustment for posture and stretching.

Unfortunately if its bad enough, surgery may be the only route. I had it done at C6-C7 in my neck and recovery was a breeze. Woke up without the constant pain I had and it never came back.

Agwinner03 said:

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I had a herniated disc on my L5/S1 about 8 years ago. I did the steroid shots and pain management for a few months before insurance approved the surgery. Surgery was simple and easy. I felt immediate relief. I was very scared beforehand, but its really not that bad.

Also, I haven't had any issues since the surgery.

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what was the recovery like? Looks like my wife is headed down this road but she is concerned about the recovery process and timeline.

Sweet Kitten Feet said:

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I avoided surgery for 3 years. Did PT, injections, everything that was recommended. Once the disc material is squeezed out it doesn't go back in. Jelly don't go back in the biscuit is what i was told. So if it's actually herniated and not just bulging do the surgery. Microdiscectomy. Easy surgery

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same questions here on the recovery process and timeline. Thanks

My recovery was basically stay home and take it easy for a couple weeks, laying down preferred but essential. Then 6 weeks of PT 2x week. Then ease back into normal activity

Thanks. Were you red ridden those first couple of weeks or just much more rest than not?

Not bedridden no. Just encouraged to relax. Definitely no lifting twisting stuff like that. So I laid in bed or in a recliner. This was also 15yrs ago so the technique and recovery could be different now.

Hospital staff had me up and walking a few hours after laminectomy/discectomy surgery a few years back.