Sciatica Advice Please

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jtgreen

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Hello,

I need a bit of advice on what to do about my sciatica. I'm going to try to be thorough without going overboard with info :dizzy:

This past January I had an MRI which showed I that I had a herniated disc. I had hurt it years ago and still had nurabness in my lower calf and foot along the right side which never fully went away, but it was all manageable. Until this latest time, that is, when I had intense pain that even Percocet didn't help. A neurosurgeon said I was eligible for a discectomy, but I decided to go with a nerve block injection instead and try to heal it naturally through PT and a chiropractor. I had the injection on February 1st and my pain was gone the next day. I was pretty lucky. I've been doing physio and started seeing my chiropractor again, but my leg sometimes really bothers me. Sometimes It actually feels really good, but other times it doesn't. Regular pain killers don't seem to help much, but a half a Percocet does when I need it. I've taken maybe 3 or 4 since February.

Phew. Sorry about all the babbling.......

What I'd like advice on is what should my next step be. My regular GP says I should do the surgery, since this is a chronic problem. My PT and chiropractor say it can definitely be resolved without. Even the doc who gave me the injection said the same. Should I maybe do another injection and keep up with the PT and chiro? Is it time to just go ahead with the surgery? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks so much,
Joe
 
I'm not sure that chiropractic along with physical therapy is the best solution. They can run contrary to each other. With any lurabar disc problem you need to make sure that an orthopedic spine surgeon and/or neurosurgeon agrees that chiropractic care is a reasonable course of treatment. PT can work with you, work certain muscles, and then this can be undone by a chiropractor.

If you have continual symptoms that are not relieved by any other treatment then often surgery is a viable option. If a symptoms stays a long time, even if manageable, it may mean that the symptoms will not go away. The longer a nerve is impinged (and results in pain) the more likely that you will not ever loose that symptom. It can become a permanent problem. A discectomy could remove the part of the disc irritating or impinging the nerve. But perhaps see another surgeon for another consultation.
 
You need to see someone besides your GP. Either a neuro or a spine but make sure that it is someone who is certified in back surgeries. At this point, you need to move beyond the GP. Once you have gotten two or more reports, yoiu will know what is to be done.

And I would stay away from the chiro. You can end up doing more harm than good.
 
Thank you for the replies so far. Other than not seeing my chiropractor anymore, I'm not exactly sure what to do yet. I guess next up is scheduling another visit with some kind of a back specialist and seeing where to go from there. I have a feeling it's surgery for me.

Thanks again :)
 
Find a good orthopedic spine surgeon and/or neurosurgeon. If you have good doctors (PCP or other) you can ask for recommendation.

I found my OSS via an acquaintance who used him. So if you or your frienRAB/family have had surgery start asking around to figure out which to perhaps see and maybe even which to avoid.
 
I'm at the point where I want injections or surgery. But want micro surgery if possible so I would ask your doctor about it. I don't do well on the pain meRAB they upset my stomach so much.

I went to a seminar some years ago about laser micro surgery. seems there is little or no bleeding so there's no scar tissue which can later on cause trouble.
And there is only a small incision. So I would I ask the doctor about this.

Not a doctor, just my opinion
 
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