Ongoing pain after endoscopic discectomy at L5S1

Posted By Nicole LaFreniere on December 08, 1997 at 17:52:47:









After six months of horrible pain from a ruptured disc at the L5S1 level, I I had an endoscopic partial discectomy.  It has helped some what but I still have pain from my back to my toes every day.  The surgery was done last April.  I am able to do alot more now and am off pain killers but I worry because I still have all this nerve pain, which gets worse with sitting, standing and walking.  It seems to be getting a little better every few months.  Do you think I can be hopeful that it will continue to get better and better.  I am so scared it won't get all better.  Is this an abnormally long time for the nerve to be taking to heal?  The doctor I am now seeing is new because my insurance changed and my surgeon is in another part of the state.  This new doctor thinks I should just keep waiting it out.  Should I ask him to do a MRI?  I take walks and get physical therapy, use a TENS unit and take anti-imflammatory herbs (my stomach can't tolerate anti-imflammatory drugs anymore).  I also don't want anymore steriod injections. (I have had a total of three this year).  Any other suggestions?  I am scared and still unable to work.