disc operation

[worried635]

I am going to have my disc removed, I can not sit for a long period of time, and job consits of sitting. I am hoping after the disc is removed I can go back to work. The pain comes and goes, but without my medicine it gets worse.(tramadol). I don't want to do the operation, but the older I get the worse it will get, I might as well do it now, while I am still a somewhat young age. Should I be worried about the operation??
                              confused635

[kec21190]

I had the same thing done in 2004, well unfortunately in the years to follow i did have reoccurent disc herniation in that disc space as well as disc degeneration: L5 S1. So in Dec 07, last resort was to do a fusion and put a fake bone in that disc space and fasten it in my spine w/ rods, screws and a cage. I would go by what the first poster said and try every other conserative treatment out there first. Really: I am serious. I feel once you have a back surgery: it is not your last and there starts a endless cycle of surgieries good luck

[dr_simran]

Hello Dear,

The most common problem of a discectomy is that there is a chance that another fragment of disc may herniate and cause similar symptoms. This may lead to recurrent disc herniation, and the risk is about 10-15%.The success of the procedure is about 85-90%.
I would recommend you to first go for conservative treatment and keep thr surgery as the last option.
Treatment options are geared toward pain relief.
Pain medications such as NSAIDs, corticosteroids orally or injected, anti-spasm drugs, anti-convulsants to help with the pain, and in some cases, narcotic pain relievers are given.
You  should go in for Physical therapy such as hydrotherapy, massage, and hot/cold therapy.
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation is a treatment in which a painless electrical current is sent to specific nerves through electrode patches that are placed on the skin. The mild electrical current generates heat that serves to relieve stiffness, improve mobility, and relieve pain .Neck and back exercises will help you.
Treatment methods should be focused on pain relief and maintaining quality of life..Although slow, usually these conservative treatments relieve pain.
You should consult all pros and cons of the discectomy surgery with your neurologist before going for it.
Best