I have had chronic back pain for almost 2 years and tried dozens of medication, physical therapy and injections? I have been to 2 neurosurgeons and going to another soon and they have said Im too young for surgery. I have 3 bulging discs, and 2 herniated disc plus one that looks like a slipped dics. I have a little par time job that I can not do anything at like lifting or bending. I wondering what this neurosurgeon will say. My primary care dr says I have 2 choices in the matter, live with it or have the surgery. I have tried everything else possible. What should I tell the neurosurgeon or what should I do? Any recommendation or medicines u have used that would help the pain?.
Hi, thanks for writing to Chat Doctor. I personally think that young age is not a specific contraindication for surgery. If your symptoms of back pain along with articular pain (shooting pain down the whole leg) are very severe and are not improving with conservative method of management, then surgery is indicated. As all modes of conservative methods have failed to provide pain relief for you, surgical decompression of the disc is indicated. An Endoscopic discectomy or a Microlumbar discectomy will provide promising pain relief with very minimal morbidity. Hope this information is helpful. Good luck