Help with herniated disc

Hi i got pain in my lower back for couple months(like june) couple weeks ago(begining of september) my pain start radiating to my leg, i went for a CT scan and result is:

"In the examination of physiological lumbar lordosis was confirmed.
Reconstruction in the sagittal plane and basic transverse cross section indicate at the level of L5-S1 large, right posterolateral herniated nucleus pulposus displaced into the spinal canal.
Dural sac and right nerve root inside spinal canal definitely compressed. Left root in root angle slightly modeled.
Cross section plane of the spinal canal on L5-S1 is narrowed by approx. 40%.
On others levels no features of compression.
Sacoiliac joints visible in the scan are normal.
No defects of lumbar-sacral junction.
Conclusions:
CT scan of lumbar spine showed shallowing of physiological lordosis.
On L5-S1 level visible right posterolateral herniated nucleus pulposus displaced into the spinal canal which definitely compresse dural sac and right nerve root.
Left nerve root of this level is modeled in its root angle."

My doctor told me i need surgery, so now i waiting to see a specialist. Is my doctor right, i need surgery or no.
How bad is my back, its really time to start worry.

[Boniek1983]

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[Boniek1983]

Anybody can give me some advice

[Dilullo]

well, to be honest with you I asked the same question, and I dont mean here on this forum but in my life..All my friends and family tried to be nothing but supportive, My answer to you is Yes, you should start worrying...I had L5S1 disectomy fusion with instrumentation. They cut on me, front and back (posterior and anterior), it was a serious surgery, and that was 21 months ago. I lost my career, my mobility, and alot of other things too numberous to post..What ever you do, always get second opinions, I did and still ended up this way, but becareful. You could have surgey and things could be great, but there are no guarentees. Its like finger prints, every one is different.and so is true about these surgeries. I had one friend tell me pre surgery that I am totally screwed. I thought to myself, what a jerk. But at this point in time he was totally correct, this is why I put it this way.

Love and peace to you, good luck.

[femmy29]

I agree with Dilullo.  Be very careful when surgery is being considered.  I also experience low back pain with radiating pain down my legs.  Surgery has been put on the table for my condition as well but at this time, I am managing well with epidural steroid injections (these may be helpful to you in terms of reducing your radiating pain down your legs) and 6 medications.  I am doing well with this approach.  I will consider surgery when all non-invasive techniques fail to work anymore.

Back surgery is only 60% successful and as time goes on after a surgery, that success rate begins to drop as many people report increased pain or just the old pain coming back.  If they can do the least invasive procedure, that would be the approach to take as they more they cut, there is a higher risk for scar tissue, which can lead to more chronic pain.

If I were you, I would try medications, physical therapy, injections, and other therapies that require no incisions.  If all these fail, then surgery may be the only solution left to mitigate your pain.  So my rule of thumb is, surgery should be last option.  

Definitely get a second opinion as well.  I hope you feel better soon.

femmy