LIke many have said, everybody is different. A 5mm herniation can cause severe pain in some where others have 10mm and don't even know it.
I had a similar issue with my neck without much problem. I'd lift wrong and have pain for a few days, then it would calm down, but a mountain bike fall caused one of the herniated disc to swell. That put me where it sounds like you are now….so I had the cadaver bone fixation fusion.
It took several months of post op physical therapy, but I had a 100% recovery. I have ZERO neck or back pain, I'm racing cars, paddle boards, hard mountain biking, all with no issues.
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Craig T
Volvo V60 - Daily Driver (I love it!)
997 Turbo - FVD Exhaust, GIAC Tune - 542 dyno hp on 93 oct
1972 Chevy K-10 Pick-Up Truck Hugger Orange