I have a herniated disc at L4-L5. It extends 5mm & ...

That is a personal decision and more importantly should be discussed with your surgeon. My advice is to of course obtain a second opinion from another surgeon.

I am sure you have tried physical therapy and epidural injections for pain managment. Often surgery is the only alternative.

Overall, if you have tried everything to avoid surgey, have debilitating pain which has restricted a normallifestyle, surgey is often the only alternative as these type of spinal compressions only seem to get worse with time.

Edited by Two_Westies on May 27 2006 at 12:41pm

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My real concern is whether or not the 80% could become 100% because I postpone and cause permanent damage to the spinal cord. I have been working on Hurricane Katrina repairs in Mississippi. I live in florida but won't be able to return until the 12th of June. The doctor here that diagnosed me, didn't offer physical therapy or epidural injections --- just surgery. I elected to go home to a doctor there. But now I'm wondering if there are risks with waiting.

In that case I would definitely get a second opinion. It is never a good idea to rush into surgety, especially of the spine. Waiting another two weeks is not at all dangerous. You made the right decision not to rush into this. It doesn't matter what surgery a doctor recommends-- always get a second opinion, especially if you have doubts.

As you are from Florida, it is best to have the surgery close to your own home as this will make the pre-operative and post-operative course of treatment much easier.

Left untreated, and continuing to perform heavy lifting could lead to further compression.

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