Bilateral lumbar laminotomy/discetomy

[Myra52]

I have been diagnosed with L4-5 and possibly L5-S1 herniated disks. I have done physical therapy for a month, but admit I didn't do the exercises as much as I should. I continue to feel pain which I tolerate in my lower back and occasionally it will migrate to my outer hips, but has never gone into my buttocks, legs, or feet. Mostly, it just makes me feel really uncomfortable. My question is this.....it's been recommended that I have surgery to relieve the pressure, but wondering if I'm jumping the gun here and should devote more time to getting in shape? Would strenthing core muscles do anything? Will I get worse and wish I had done the surgery? I don't know the right questions to ask my doctor, though I'm trying to gain as much insight to this as possible.
  

  

[FloridaSunshine]

I have same problem, all my disc except one are degenerated, From all research I have done, it dont get better with surgery. Mostly they do surgery to get rid of leg pain, so if you have no leg pain, dont jump yet.  

Most people after surgery still take pain medication.

Good luck

[idesofmarch]

There are some doctors out there that just want to make money.  If you are not getting the butt and down the leg pain yet then you really shouldn't have surgery yet. A good doctor would have you wait. Some herniated disks never go far enough to effect the nerve root.  I have hade a disk 50% herniated but not fully putting pressure on the sciatic nerve, for over 2 years.  My surgeon has checked it twice for me and there has been no change on the MRI.  Once in a great while I do have a numbing feeling in my thigh but 1 doctor told me if it doesn't effect my life or make me limp, don't worry about it. Do the excercises given to you and yes if you make your mucsles stronger they will be able to ease the pressure on your back muscles.  Lose weight if needed,try ice & or heat or alternate,for pain. Walking is great if you can tolerate other excercise.  Water excercise is also good. Physical therapy is your best choice to keep your allignment and muscles in tact. If you have the surgery you will almost always have some pain due to disk weakness and scar tissue,you'll fell weather changes and get arthritis in that area as you get older.  You will need to keep up the excercises for the rest of your life to keep those muscles strong.  Why take the chance of a eager surgeon who might just make matters worse.  If in doubt get a 2nd opinion by a doctor highly recommened by people who have been treated by him.  Good Luck