Bulging Disc: Surgery or not?

[Iggy82]

About 2 years ago, I started feeling classical symptoms of sciatica - pain radiating down my right leg, all the way to the knee, mostly on the side of the leg. This happened right after I made about 10 consecutive jumps. A year later after that episode, I had MRI done. It showed that I had 2 bulging/herniated discs and 1 herniated disc. The bulging/herniated discs are at L1-L2 and L2-L3 position. The mildly herniated disc was at L5-S1 position. My leg pain is always there, however, its severity is on and off. It's never extreme, such as inability to get out of bed or not go to work. However, at times it's distressing resulting in inability to exercise at gym or do various physical activities fully.

I am 25 years old and sports has always been a somewhat large part of my life. I have a gym membership for 10 years, I play basketball, tennis, soccer and other sports recreationally. This pain has inhibited some of those activities and I had to cut out many of the exercises that I used to do in the gym (squats, back rows, military press and etc.)

Recently I had 2 epidural injections done, about 3 weeks apart. The first one helped for about 10 days and the 2nd one I had done less than a week ago and the pain has already come back almost fully.

I have seen 2 surgeons and both recommended surgeries after first trying more conservative treatment. I have been prescribed by one surgeon to undergo a PT course for 6 weeks. While I didn't start it yet, it's unlikely to help in my view.
The first surgeon recommended a laminectomy and the 2nd one microdiscectomy.

Is it worth going through one of these surgeries given my age and somewhat nagging pain, should PT fail (as I predict it will)? If so, how successful are these surgeries in terms of pain relief? Will I ever be able to go back to gym again at at least 80% of how I used to? In other words, do the benefits outweigh the costs of recovery, pain and some risk?
Is PT any help in situations like these where the pain is chronic and according to MRI and X-Ray, I have some bone spurs and somewhat degenerated discs?
Thank You for your time and attention,
- Igor

[fireflytwinkling]

Make sure you try any non invasive suggestions (and definitely get more than one medical opinnion) your doc thinks would help. Make sure you listen to all possible things that COULD happen relating to having surgery. Ive had 2 failed fusions, lots of nerve damage, and when they put in a spinal cord stimulator (and i told the surgeon something was wrong when i woke up from surgery, which only made him mad) a week later my back burst open where he had put the battery pack. I ended up 3 mths in the hosp having 4 emergency surgeries and paralysed. Do lots of research on your doctors and any procedures they want to do!

[Fussed]

I am in construction and was having the exact symptoms, I had the cervical  fusion done and I had my right arm back instantaneous. It was amazing I had it done on a Wednesday and went back to work the following Monday. The doctor said a 3 month recovery but in my case the recovery time was minimal. It took a little getting used to, because you are scared your going to break something but 2 years have gone by and no problems.  

[emmaloafy]

also, i still don't now how i herniated my disc, the only thing i can remember is sitting up in bed one day and pain shoots down my leg... so yea. Before that happened i used to swim and do a bit in gymnastics but just for fun in highschool. it was my first year so nothing too crazy. the only thing else that i can think of it being from was when i slipped off the beam and separated my ribs from the cartiledge, but im pretty sure that happened after. anyway i used to be active, but ever since my sciatica pain started ive been told to do less activities like run or im just not capable of doing things, the only thing that doesn't hurt to do is swim, so thats pretty much the only exercise i get

[emmaloafy]

i really would love if there was a solution but since im only 20 the doctors say they are unsure of how the surgery would affect me, but ive already had pain for 6 years and nothing has helped. Sitting or standing for too long sends pain down my leg and then starts to go numb. i have trouble putting on shoes and socks and pants. I've been told not to run, running hurts anyways, but I feel like i can't do anything. I'm never not in pain, the severity of it differs but its always there. I also don't think my family or friends understand how painful and annoying it is. I walk strangely now, my gate is short, i obviously can't stretch my leg, i can sit up straight, and im only comfortable laying down. I've just gotten so used to changing my habits and the way I move and have just stopped complaining, so I don't think other people think of it and that its actually awful and something needs to happen. the doctors only gave me some muscle relaxants and anti inflammatory pills, the chiro worked for a bit and got me a little more flexible but after a while my leg and foot started to go numb so i stopped going. The doctors said the injections probably won't help and that since im so young not to try it. I'm getting sick of waiting til im older to get some solution but after 6 years of this im fed up and want some change. the pain just gets worse so by the time i could get it fixed itll be horrible. this is so frustrating.

[Jonestown89]

Hi everyone my names Rob and I am going through all this pain just like the rest of you!

I am currently 22 years old and my back went whilst playing in a football (or soccer as some of you like to call it) tournament. The next day I could not move! When I got into hospital I stayed there for a week in pain and on all sorts of medication (tramadol, pregabolin, diclonfenic, paracetamol). After the week I was discharged and since I've been in crippling pain! The specialist who is supposed to be dealing with my case has put my appointment back a further month which has both annoyed me and put me down, as I set my mind to coping with the pain until that date. Like most of you I have a bulging disk or herniated disk as some of you call it, on the lower part of my back. The pain goes from my back all the way down to my left foot where I get excruciating pins and needles and numbness. It was only yesterday I walked to the corner shop and I nearly collapsed on the way back, just pure agony and its great to know that other people can sympathise with this pain. After reading these numerous comments I think it's inevitable that my doctor will prescribe physiotherapy and personal training, then injections, but from the sounds of things none of these help! It sounds like they are just prolonging surgery, don't get me wrong these may help but from what people have commented on here who are going or have gone through the exact pain these wont do any help. Sports and fitness is a massive part of my life! Every day of the week I am doing one sport or another. I do boxing, swimming, running, weight training all different sports to help me improve the way I play my beloved football (which I am hoping to go to the states next year to play). Like some I have educated myself with the spine watching youtube videos and reading numerous different articles. And if I am completely honest I am no further forward! Some people say have surgery and some people suggest not for different reasons. I guess at the end of the day we are all different, what works for some doesn't work for others as our bodies are different in a way that they react to treatment. The only thing that I guess we all have in common is patience (perhaps unecessary) and whilst we await diagnosis we all have to go through similar pain who we wouldn't wish on anybody!

All I would say is be positive, every day you wake up tell yourself it is going to be a good day and keep battling on as it sounds like this is a long process for us all! Listen to your specialist and rest when told to do so that is probably the best advice I could give!

All the best people

Much love Rob!

[Mushka60]

Hi, Can you tell me who did your husbands surgery and what state/area?
I am desperate for relief.  I am resloved to knowing that there will be things that I should/can no longer do even if I have successful surgery, but to know I can do day to day things without pain sounds wonderful.  I know someone from church who had back surgery and did wonderful (I believe it was many, many years ago, he is now in his 70's and is doing great).  I also have a cousin who had a herniated disc and had surgery and is doing good as well, though she only had hers about 2 years ago.

Thanks,
Marsha