Quote:
Originally Posted by cabmando
Back in October 2016 I was diagnosed with a herniated disc at L3, L4 and L5/S1 with L5/S1 putting pressure on the nerve bundle. I had extreme tightness in my hip, hamstring, thigh and shin as well as slight numbness in my big toe. I have responded well to PT as I'm no longer having all the tightness but my hamstring is still tight (can't get a good stretch compared to non effected leg) even though I have been doing stretches. It also feels like there is a not in my upper thigh at the hip joint level. I still get some jolts in my lower leg on occasion but for the most part I'm a little uncomfortable not in pain if that makes sense.
I was scheduled for a laminectomy/discectomy but thought since I was responding well that I'd forgo the surgery in favor of the more conservative approach. My problem is that I think I'm fooling myself thinking I'll beat this with exercise and stretching. I know that the nerve had pressure placed on it by the herniated disc and that it will take time for the nerve to heal. I'm just not sure if the nerve will heal because the herniation still exists. My other issue is that the thought of surgery involving nerves and spine freaks me out. So I'm reaching out to anyone here who has had the procedure to get your thoughts as well as to those who have had good success with exercise and stretching.
FWIW the neurosurgeon my family doctor recommended is supposed to be a pretty conservative surgeon. He suggested surgery back in October/November but did say there was a chance for relief through physical therapy.
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Don't make a decision based on doubts, especially if you are getting positive results. It doesn't seem as if you need to rush into anything right now, and an overactive imagination will have you thinking that maybe you should. You would absolutely know if you should. When that time comes, if it comes, have the surgery, or maybe look into some of the new forms of surgery.
Until then, try to relax. I can tell you from experience that fear intensifies pain to a remarkable degree. Patience, things will become clear.