Quote:
Originally Posted by blykins
DO NOT HAVE SURGERY!
Go see your family doctor and get a referral to a physical therapist. Trust me!
|
This
might be incorrect advice. Disc bulging does not mean you need surgery. In fact, 50% of people with bulging discs do not have back pain.
However, sometimes surgery and sharp objects are the correct answer. And there are more surgical options than discectomy and fusion.
A visit with PT is always a good idea. I'm surprised you have not done that yet. People who do PT prior to surgery have a better outcome.
An EMG might be a good idea. Depending on symptoms and what the MRI shows.
I think a consult with a neurosurgeon is also a good idea. Not to
get surgery, but to
talk about surgery. What are your options? What are the potential benefits? What are the potential risks? Once you are well informed, then you can make an intelligent decision.
You should also consider a consult with pain management. You want a procedurist, and not a pill pusher. They have some excellent tools that might be helpful for you.
Keep in mind that we cannot eliminate or cure chronic low back pain. We don't know how. Our goal becomes control, and function despite pain. A lot of people don't like it or believe it when I say that.