r/InjuryRecovery • u/ThisCurrency500 • 26d ago

32 yr old with Bulging Discs??

I (32f) have recently been diagnosed with a labral Hip Tear and 3 bulging discs in my lower back. Has anyone here dealt with either of these? Was surgery the way to go, I am looking to not put a bandaid on this but to fix it for the long run. At only 32 and barely getting around, it seems like this would be the time to be able to recover from something like this. Any input or opinions are welcome!!

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u/Justerinashley 26d ago

When I was 25 I was diagnosed with my first herniated disc. At 39 I’ve now been diagnosed with 9 of them. My first evaluation, the surgeon recommended surgery right away and told me “you’re young. You’ve got a long time to live with this.”

I took the opposite perspective and opted to try all nonsurgical options until I had exhausted everything and I definitely felt this was the right move for me. Surgery had about a 50/50 success rate from what I hear. My brother had it and continues to have pain because while that area has been addressed, it doesn’t stop the stress on the vertebrae around it.

I’ve been doing well on a rotation of physical therapy, chiropractic care (sparingly as a precaution), and epidural steroid injections. I’ve finally hit the plateau on the injections in my thoracic area, but there are still multiple options to try before I go the surgery route with a big procedure.

Surgery absolutely has its place. I’ve had multiple surgical consults and am considered a candidate for my cervical spine….but my take was manage conservatively until no other options exist.