My low back pain increased a couple of months ago and left toe tingling/numbness started a few weeks ago and is pretty much constant now. I know I need a new MRI to see what's going on, but just curious if anyone has had the nerve tingling improve without needing surgery. Can conservative measures (PT, injections) reverse the nerve issues?

Edit 2/17: Got my MRI results. It's L4-L5 bulge that my pain doc hopes PT will help. Turns out my neck issues at C6-7 are my bigger issue. Since I have tingling in hands and feet, he's suspecting my neck is the problem. If PT doesn't work there, apparently have to talk about surgery.

Most of these don't require surgery. Conservative treatment looks like PT then an injection if it doesn't respond to PT. Surgery should be last resort unless you are having bowel and bladder issues or noted atrophy in the limb. Where are you located?

Thanks for the reply. I'm hopeful that PT will work. Injections scare me as it seems like a lot of people end up in worse pain from them.

I'm in McKinney.

I had a bulging disc and herniated disc. Was having the same issue on one leg and foot. Started to get drop foot. Went through a year of PT, stretching, massage therapy, chiro until I got an MRI. Was clear as day nothing was helping that herniated disc. Ended up having a micro disc surgery in SA with Donald Hilton. Pain went away for the most part for a few years. Have bits of numbness/soreness now and then but much better. Avoid it if you can because I think it's something that once you do it, you keep chasing it ….potentially.

I am amazed how many times this has come up on this board recently. My wife had micro discectomy. Before she was on her hands and knees crying every night in pain. After it was like she never had the herniated disc. The surgery was quick and easy.

Have you already found a PT? I'm in McKinney as well. Found an excellent PT about a year and a half ago that helped me with a shoulder issue. If you need a recommendation, let me know and I'll find their info.

I'd love to know who your PT is. Thanks!

IrishAg96 said:

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I'd love to know who your PT is. Thanks!

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PT Concepts of McKinney - https://www.ptconcepts.com/locations/mckinney

The guy I primary worked with was Kamble Cox.

Thank you!

Had this exact thing about 6 years ago. I did Chiro (I went to Airrosti for deep release) and acupuncture. Did my stretches and rubber band exercises as well. Took about 6 weeks but am effectively 100% still to this day. FYI the numbness may not completely go away, but it will lessen. I do still have some minor numbness, but no atrophy or weakness. I'm a runner so that (numbness) would be a huge problem for me. Good luck to you!

P.S. In the initial stages I found Doan's to be more effective at pain management than anything else. I didn't seek out harder prescription drugs though.

I'm about 3 weeks post surgery (Microdiscectomy) and yes it was quick, but I wouldn't say it's been easy lol. It definitely helped and would recommend if PT and the ES injections don't help. In my case, I believe the surgery was the only option I had left and definitely have no regrets. Good luck and I hope you can find relief with the PT and or injections.

My journey with this documented here.

I'm set to get the lumbar steroid injection on Tuesday next week.

I'll let you know if it helps.

If you let it go too long it will cause permanent nerve damage. Ask me how I know. If you can get the swelling and inflammation down with PT and injections/oral steroids and get the pressure off those nerves you'll be ok. But if you can't it will get worse.

Gunny456 said:

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If you let it go too long it will cause permanent nerve damage. Ask me how I know. If you can get the swelling and inflammation down with PT and injections/oral steroids and get the pressure off those nerves you'll be ok. But if you can't it will get worse.

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Gunny,
Would you mind if I picked your brain about this. I am scheduled for a microdiscectomy at l4/5 because i had pain down left leg and numbness in my foot. Could barely walk and was in extreme pain. Finally back to be able to walk again and pain is down, but a little weakness. 5mm disc bulge. Going back and forth with the surgery. Not an immediate need, but also won't be able to avoid it either because of weakness.

You might ask your doc to schedule you for a nerve test. I had this done before I decided on surgery. It's not as bad a test as people make it out to be. It will give a very accurate picture/assessment of the amount of pressure/impingement on the nerves and damage. Really helps your surgeon pin point the issue.

Gunny456 said:

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You might ask your doc to schedule you for a nerve test. I had this done before I decided on surgery. It's not as bad a test as people make it out to be. It will give a very accurate picture/assessment of the amount of pressure/impingement on the nerves and damage. Really helps your surgeon pin point the issue.

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Nerve test was done and definitely impingement on L5 nerve root causing the pain down the left leg and numbness in the foot. They told me its not an emergency, but we will eventually need to get it taken care of because of the weakness that can be permanent.

IrishAg96 said:

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My low back pain increased a couple of months ago and left toe tingling/numbness started a few weeks ago and is pretty much constant now. I know I need a new MRI to see what's going on, but just curious if anyone has had the nerve tingling improve without needing surgery. Can conservative measures (PT, injections) reverse the nerve issues?

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I have almost the exact same issue. Mine is not yet advanced enough for surgery. I did 12 weeks of core-focused physical therapy. Strengthening the core helped stabilize my posture and avoid pressure on the herniated disks. I'm a bit of an overachiever (I go to the gym a lot) and re-aggravate my pain points frequently. I have to be SUPER mindful of how I'm lifting and moving. I would, altogether, say that I'm about 80% better. That said, when I have a flare-up, it's bad enough to make me consider another round of PT and/or injections.

I will NEVER consider surgery. I have two family members whose situations were made worse post-surgery.

Do you take any doctor prescribed anti-inflammatories and/or muscle relaxers? I do, and take them as-needed to control my symptoms. May work well for you, too.

AggieBarstool said:

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IrishAg96 said:

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My low back pain increased a couple of months ago and left toe tingling/numbness started a few weeks ago and is pretty much constant now. I know I need a new MRI to see what's going on, but just curious if anyone has had the nerve tingling improve without needing surgery. Can conservative measures (PT, injections) reverse the nerve issues?

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I have almost the exact same issue. Mine is not yet advanced enough for surgery. I did 12 weeks of core-focused physical therapy. Strengthening the core helped stabilize my posture and avoid pressure on the herniated disks. I'm a bit of an overachiever (I go to the gym a lot) and re-aggravate my pain points frequently. I have to be SUPER mindful of how I'm lifting and moving. I would, altogether, say that I'm about 80% better. That said, when I have a flare-up, it's bad enough to make me consider another round of PT and/or injections.

I will NEVER consider surgery. I have two family members whose situations were made worse post-surgery.

Do you take any doctor prescribed anti-inflammatories and/or muscle relaxers? I do, and take them as-needed to control my symptoms. May work well for you, too.

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Anti-inflammatories and muscle relaxers did not work. ESI did not work, this has kept me going for several years. I do every non-surgical option available to me and last year pain level was 10/10. The herniation is at 5mm now.

AggieBarstool said:

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IrishAg96 said:

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My low back pain increased a couple of months ago and left toe tingling/numbness started a few weeks ago and is pretty much constant now. I know I need a new MRI to see what's going on, but just curious if anyone has had the nerve tingling improve without needing surgery. Can conservative measures (PT, injections) reverse the nerve issues?

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I have almost the exact same issue. Mine is not yet advanced enough for surgery. I did 12 weeks of core-focused physical therapy. Strengthening the core helped stabilize my posture and avoid pressure on the herniated disks. I'm a bit of an overachiever (I go to the gym a lot) and re-aggravate my pain points frequently. I have to be SUPER mindful of how I'm lifting and moving. I would, altogether, say that I'm about 80% better. That said, when I have a flare-up, it's bad enough to make me consider another round of PT and/or injections.

I will NEVER consider surgery. I have two family members whose situations were made worse post-surgery.

Do you take any doctor prescribed anti-inflammatories and/or muscle relaxers? I do, and take them as-needed to control my symptoms. May work well for you, too.

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So you have found that PT and injections have helped take pressure off the herniated discs? I'm hopeful that will help. I had an MRI last week and will talk to my dr about the results tomorrow. I'm in quite a bit of pain when sitting (I get relief when laying down), but also getting very minor tingling/numbness in both feet. It hasn't progressed to anything serious like foot drop or anything, but obviously trying to avoid that. I do take a low dose pain med to help with the pain. Not sure if muscle relaxers would do anything since I don't really have muscle spasms. Sounds like PT is the next step for me.

PT and core exercises have taken the pain / numbness from a 7/10 to 3-4/10 over the last 3 months.

I have done injections, yet, but I'm considering it as the pain is climbing back up.

Edited my OP