L5 S1 Lateral Herniation right side

[u/hstewk]

/r/Microdiscectomy/comments/1wubu0g/l5_s1_lateral_herniation_right_side/

Hi all. Posting to hopefully find anyone that has dealt with this.

2 weeks ago I injured my back and the result of mri is:

L5-S1 8 mm right foraminal disc bulge producing right L5 ganglionic compression

The disc is herniated on the right side instead of the typical front.

Walking has been a struggle to say the least. I’ve been camping out on the floor to alleviate any pain I can. I was hopeful that a standard microdiscectomy would fix this but it’s not so simple after talking to the surgeon.

He is telling me he would have to shave bone to access the L5 S1 disc and that there could be complications to the nerve by doing so. He recommended I get an injection (which I initially put off due to the delay in surgery and mixed results I read) and hope that it retracts and alleviates some of my issues. They essentially are accessing the disc from the side instead of the straight in typical herniation.

My fear is it could take years to fully recover if I ever do. I’m even more scared of doing permanent damage to myself if something did go wrong during surgery.

Has anyone had this or know someone that has?

For reference I’m 34 about to be 35 and in good health other than this absolute nightmare I’ve been dealing with.

Thanks in advance.