I am also in the process of considering this surgery. Ive already had one esi and it didnt help at all. I've also been going to therapy for a little over a month now, to no avail. I also cant sit, drive, or do anything physically demanding for a long period of time. I am not prepared to stop doing sports and activities as I am only 22. I am going to see my surgeion in a week and will ask him about problems similar to yours, and post here on what he says.

Peace

Hi steve ~

I was in a similar situation a few years back and I did end up having a mirco-d at the same level. I have to say it helped me for almost 5 years to the day of the surgery. After the surgery which helped me considerably and it gave me my life back for 5 years I ended up having another micro-d because the disc re herniated. After the second surgery which left only 20% of the disc at that level it only lasted 2 weeks before the disc collapsed which left no disc space and was pinching all the nerves from that area. I couple of weeks later had my first fusion surgery.


I also went through the same steps as you with medications, pt and esi injections which like you didn't help me. :( if I had to do it over I would in a heart beat as the micro-d helped so much with my pain.

I believe this is the doctor you are going to see?


andrew m. Casden, md

spine institute of new york: treating scoliosis, sciatica, spinal stenosis, herniated disc and degenerative disc disease

Spineinstituteny.Com/


Imshirl

Thanks for your reply -
yes - this is the surgeon.
He told me the good news was that the bulge despite being large is only on one side and he thinks my prognosis for recovery is excellent.

Thx,
steve