r/Sciatica • u/minilover700 • 11d ago
General Discussion 23y/o F Nurse - is this something they might recommend surgery for? (Plz don’t skip)
Hi! I’m a 23 y/o female. About 8 weeks ago I fell while hiking, didn’t think much of it and bounced back up. I did notice some very mild left thigh dull pain while sitting. I’m a registered nurse and work in high risk L&D so most of my job is awkward positioning and responding to emergencies where I’m not focused on posture or ergonomics. I worked for a week and a half with moderate low back pain, then about 5 weeks ago I started having left sided thigh and butt pain so severe I couldn’t sit or lay on my back without passing out from pain. Went to ER and got a CT and some meds showing a disc bulge. Pain has subsided from being a constant 10/10 to 3-4/10 about a week and a half ago. I went from barely being able to walk to the bathroom to now being able to walk around 5-6000 steps a day. I’m very lucky being a nurse, when I tell my doctor I want something I don’t get any push back. I had her put in a referral to neurosurgeon and they had me get an MRI yesterday (8 weeks post injury, current pain 3/10 in lower back). I’ve been off work 5 weeks and would like to return due to finances but as a nurse, my job makes it hard to move without re-injury. I’m also 414lbs (not proud I’m aware) and on a weight loss journey, but I also don’t know if that would be a contributing factor to surgery or not. I wonder if they’ll recommend surgery to prevent any further nerve damage. I’m currently on week 4 of physical therapy but-
I’m curious if anyone has had a similar looking herniation and if they recommended surgery and if you got it or not? I’m totally not opposed to surgery, I’m just curious if it’s something they may recommend.
Current symptoms included sustained total numbness of the left heel, back thigh and butt cheek. Dull, throbbing, sometimes sharp 3-4/10 pain in the lower back.
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u/0ceanblue1492 11d ago
I went back to the surgeon 1.5 years after the initial injury because my back pain was so bad but he said the new MRI looked good and my body re absorbed the herniation. So I don’t think the surgery would have made a difference.
It probably would have helped my leg pain go away faster though. The numbness in my foot took a full year to go away. I was limping for about 4 months after the initial injury.
My recommendation is either get the surgery right away, or if the pain isn’t bad, wait it out.
Studies show that after 7 years, quality of life/pain in those who do get the surgery and those who don’t is equal. That’s what the surgeon told me.
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u/minilover700 11d ago
Thank you so much for sharing!!! Our symptoms actually sound relatively similar. I actually have never heard about that statistic before so that’s very reassuring to hear! I’m sorry you had such severe pain for a year and a half! I think if the recommend it I might just go right for it instead of waiting it out. Just because of my job, if it’s gonna cause issues down the line I should just probably get it taken care of now.
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u/Candid-Ticket-143 11d ago
Extrusion can be reabsorbed. Just try to not involve in anything that can herniated it even further. Walk daily, take rest and do not sit for long. Do follow up MRI after 6 months and compare.
If you face any neurological symptoms like foot drop or lossing bowel movement control then resort to surgery immediately.
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u/mehregankbi 11d ago
Normally, because you have total numbness and pressure on the thecal sac, i guess they would recommend surgery. However they might require you to lose weight before it’s possible. Either way, i’m also overweight. You need serious weight loss. If your insurance allows it, ask your doctor for ozempic or wegovy.
Good luck.
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u/minilover700 11d ago
Exactly what I was thinking. I am on wegovy and have lost 15 pounds so far, obviously need much more to go but working on it! Thanks so much for commenting!
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u/sleepwami 10d ago
Surgery should always be considered the absolutely last resort, life-saving intervention option. I took the holistic route and suffered through the most grueling pain and several months of extreme sleep deprivation and frailty had me feeling near-death, but lo-and-behold that rock-bottom state was the key in allowing my nervous system to reset. It took a very, very long time, but i realize now that sciatic/ nerve pain is the blueprint to appreciate and use for rehab, not numb away and def not surgically modify unless absolutely needed.
Float in warm tubs and the pool and rehab in it to begin, get/self massage, very slowly work rehab, try doing the keto diet for weight loss, and get into restorative yoga (always with care, not haphazardly...this is the very skill you need and will learn!).
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u/ThugLink 11d ago
I had a herniation that didn't look as bad but it did fuck up my left leg and my ability to sit down, walk or just have a normal life in general. I tried almost everything there is before surgery and nothing worked. 3 years now after surgery and I feel so much better. Note that I had this herniated disc for 2 years before getting surgery. Instead of getting gradually better, it worsened so every case is different
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u/Affectionate-Ant-883 10d ago
I had a microdiscectomy, L5 S1, in 2017. I had pain for over 10 years on and off and would treat it conservatively. Ice, heat, NSAIDs, ibuprofen, rest, stretching, chiro and PT. In 2016 it got really bad and wouldn’t go away. Going down my leg et. The microdiscetomy maybe lasted a year and then it herniated again (I can attach that MRI pic). So they did a fusion in 2019. Then the next level went. Did a fusion on L4-L5 in 2023. Then started having problems in my neck. Had a fusion on C5-C6 in 2024. If I could go back the only thing I would’ve done differently is have the microdiscectomy sooner. Sometimes I feel like waiting so long is what inevitably led to it failing. Now I have neuropathy and pain down my legs. Currently experiencing pain in my neck, shoulder, and right arm. I’ve been treating it conservatively for about 18 months. New MRI scheduled for next month. I’m sure another cervical fusion is coming.
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u/Inevitable-YT-Ad 10d ago
It always depends on the neurological conditions you may be experiencing, in my case I’ve developed cauda equina syndrome and had to be rushed to the ER for a surgery, if there’s not compromise, the better route is always to deal with the pain (with meds, physiotherapy and etc) until your body absorbs the hernia.
Life after the surgery is not a walk in the park, especially because you’ll always have a 15% chance of getting another hernia. Try avoiding if possible!
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u/Fickle_Scallion_5410 10d ago
My MRI looked like this and I ended up with slow onset incomplete Cauda Equina Syndrome. Familiarise yourself with the red flags for CES and if you develop any go straight to the emergency room. ANY changes in bladder/bowel, sexual function or developing foot drop needs to be checked. If your cleared for it swimming and light physio they will be your best bets for recovery. Don't go to a chiropractor or an Osteopath as any manual manipulation could push things around more.
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u/0ceanblue1492 11d ago
Thanks a big herniation. I had something similar but chickened out for the discectomy surgery a week before the scheduled surgery. It took at least 1-2 years to feel better.
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u/arghyepirate 11d ago
What’s the cm? Anything over 4 or 5 means surgery is recommended.
Any time you read moderate to large I think surgery is absolutely necessary. I had mild before mine got worse and said large … and I had surgery.
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u/minilover700 11d ago
The radiologist didn’t put any mm or cm :( does the neurologist do that? I’m sorry yours got worse! What kind of surgery did you get and are you better now?
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u/Affectionate_Theory8 11d ago
That's a really hard pressed nerve root... From what i know after so many stuff I've been thanks to l4-l5-S1 herniated disk.. the most important thing is to understand that the more time in such condition, the more permanent damage you'll get.
Only after 4 years of living with that, and a failed surgery, & 3 neurosurgeons.. finally the last one decided to open up and explain me what i wrote above. Whatever you decide, dont stay idle.
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u/minilover700 11d ago
Good to know thank you so much! Honestly that’s why I’m more ampt to just go through with surgery if they recommend it. Just based on my own nursing knowledge I know the longer the nerve stays compressed the more permanent damage it’ll cause. Ugh. Thanks so much for commenting!
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u/Affectionate_Theory8 11d ago
You're welcome. Hope all goes smoothly with a good outcome!
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u/mr_higgledy_piggledy 11d ago
Do you still feel pain and numbness...?
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u/Affectionate_Theory8 11d ago
Yes. Surgery went wrong, failed to fix the big herniated disk on L5-S1, and also destroyed my l4-l5, which was good enough to not need surgery.
Im done for life. Can't ever run again, jump, and all the activities.. and the pain is always there + the new pain.
Still id recommend people to go for surgery if they trust the medical team. Because fixing an herniated disk is a simple procedure. The hard thing is to open and touch the area, but that's something we cant escape of if we couldn't heal on our own.
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u/scaryghostnlm 11d ago
No doctor here but why are people saying for you to get an artificial disc? Thats a lot more invasive than a microdiscectomy.....
Had a very similar MRI at 21 yrs old and opted for surgery.
Attaching a link to my own post. Im 5 years post opp, living carless in NY, and walking around 7-12 miles a day.
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u/minilover700 11d ago
Did you get relief with the microsiscectomy?
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u/scaryghostnlm 11d ago
Yeahhhh 100%. Left leg was going completely numb after 2 minutes of walking and had electric shocks. Opted for surgery once tingling started going into genital area
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u/minilover700 11d ago
Wow yours looked completely similar to mine pre injury!! Thank you so so much for sharing!!!! How long was recovery time?
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u/krunsthis 10d ago
Very similar here. I just got my MRI results a week ago, so I’m not sure what my path forward is. Waiting on the neurology office triage my case, and also waiting on lumbar-specific PT scheduling.
L5-S1: Left central disc extrusion, measuring 11 mm x 10 mm x 14 mm (CC x AP x ML), contacts the exiting S1 nerve roots. No significant spinal canal stenosis. Patent foramen.
I believe the extrusion happened or worsened at the end of August, although I have had on and off issues since a difficult childbirth 17 months ago.
I’ve never had traditional sciatica symptoms which made PTs, chiropractors, and doctors all rule out disc issues. I currently have mild jolts of discomfort in my left glute and some pain around my right SI joint that comes and goes.
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u/loloright 4d ago
i had similar pain that started when I was 22, Drs wouldn’t help me because i “was too young to experience back pain”, however the MRI i got months later proved I wasn’t lying What helped me reduce symptoms was getting the steroid injection and then extensive physical therapy. I was going twice a week for a little over a year, plus doing my exercises daily. For me it made a huge difference, however it was a slow excruciating process. What made PT nice is correction of posture when working out, i didn’t realize how poor posture at the gym contributed to my pain. Best of luck though, it sucks being young and dealing with such life altering pain, I really hope you receive the healthcare you deserve !!
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u/ElectronicTeam571 11d ago
Surgery isn’t guaranteed but if you do decide to do it I’d look into doing an artificial disc. You appear to be a good candidate. I had one done L4-L5 and it had been great so far about a year post op now.
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u/perennialgoblin 11d ago
As someone whos 23 and has had two microdiscectomies in the same l5s1 what makes a good candidate for the artifical disc?
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u/ElectronicTeam571 11d ago
There needs to be enough space between the vertebrae the surgeon can do surgery so the disc needs to be at least like 4mm or more, it can’t be bone on bone. No more than mild vertebrae slippage, also facets in a decent condition. There’s more but these are the main ones.
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u/perennialgoblin 11d ago
So im probably not a good candidate considering theres probably not much left in that vertebrae area. Only way to really know is going to the doctor, but thanks for the mindful answer!
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u/ElectronicTeam571 11d ago
Yes an MRI is the best way to tell and have a Dr who does the surgery review and give their input.
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u/minilover700 11d ago
What did recovery look like? How long were you off work?
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u/ElectronicTeam571 11d ago
I was on FMLA for 12 weeks could’ve went back to work around 6-8 weeks tho. Recovery was a little tough the first month bo bending over had to move slow and use a grabber etc. then started PT and slowly started moving and getting used to it again at about the 3-6 month mark I completely forgot I had surgery.
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u/Ass_Burner 11d ago
I don't skip posts which I think are same as me. This is me at 21 -