I’ve been suffering form Sciatica since 10th May. Initially I didn’t think much of it, took it easy but it got worse and worse to the point of utter agony. I’ve been to see my GP, had an MRI scan which has shown a large prolapsed disc in my lower spine.

The consultation with the orthopaedic specialist was far to brief for my liking and he was ushering me out the door 5 min after showing me the scans. Due to the level of discomfort and duration of the injury he’s advocating surgery. I didn’t have enough time to ask him all my questions and so I’m trying to see him again too get answers.

Has anyone here suffered the same fate (prolapsed disc) and is there any other option to surgery that works? Any docs in the house that can give advice?
Cheers.

I had the surgery in 91. Never looked back.

I had a double prolapse sorted out by surgery three and a half years ago. Like Lowey, I have never looked back. I was in so much pain that Doctors had to be called out in the middle of the night to administer morphine on two occasions. It was not good. It was only afterwards I took up riding mtb’s. (Before the op I was a 48 year old couch potato). I heeded the advice of the Consultant and made sure that I exercised afterwards. For me, it meant walking a little further each time I went out. This two or three times a day if possible. It was sore at first, but found that moving around helped. The only part I was bothered about was when I went to get the metal staples removed, and the nurse produced something similar to a set of bolt-cutters! Never felt a thing!

I’m not sure about non-operative alternatives I had been through a specific exercise programme devised by the physio but did not work for me.

Life has been brilliant since the op. and the only thing I have to watch out for now are the midges around Kielder:)

I had it happen to me in 2001, L5, very very painfull, i met a russian back specialist in france, he told me not to have the op as it was a 50 50 chance of working, i took declophenic for a few years and kept as active as poss, it has got much better over time. i dont take any pain killers now (as i am now allergic to them), now and then my lower back aches a bit but i put it down to getting older.I AM NOT A DOCTOR tho.
Good luck.

Is that the same as crushed and fractured discs or am I talking something completely different. I certainly had no operation but back got bad over time so I have done weight training for about 20 years. With extra emphasis on my lower back and stomach i.e. every time I go to the gym they are always part of any routine (more a little but often approach). Your vertebras are not attached to each other they are merely held in place by muscle weak back and weak stomach muscles always lead to bad back. I expect the latter may relate to your post op physiotherapy?

My prolapse was pretty minor by the above standards (it had me off the bike, I could walk but with occasional painful spasms in my leg).

They recommended surgery but the neurosurgeon who had the final say dismissed it and insisted I could get over it with physio. Turns out she was right, lots and lots of sit-ups and reverse situps (on stomach rasiing shoulders off the ground) using a pilates ball saw the problem off in a matter of months.

I had it and it took ages to diagnose, had to keep pressing the doctor, spent ages taking a variety of increasingly stronger drugs. Ended up spending 3 months on the floor prior to surgery as that was the only place I was faintly comfortable. Having the operation was like throwing a switch, severe pain, then total pain relief. Not looked back (no pun intended) since. Prior to the operation I had tried physio, acupuncture, had a tens machine, but it got progressively worse, the operation was my final option.

Good luck with whatever you decide, you have my total sympathy on this.

In hindsight I think I’ve had this for alot longer than 2.5 months. This type of pain and discomfort was the main reason I gave up squash about 8 years ago and I’ve had recurring bouts of sciatica since then. I just never looked in to it/took it seriosuly. This time though it’s a whole different world of pain, L5/S1 disc prolapse.

I’m encouraged that your ops went well, especially that you’re out on your bikes!

i have had back pain for years on and off ostopath helped a lot with the siatica i just live with it now i have an inversion table which helps when it gets bad you hang upside down from your feet just beware taking anti inflammatries for long periods they are not good for your kidneys

i was on the floor literally for 6 weeks due to a prolapsed disc. a fabulous physio and pilates sorted me out. the consultant saw me when i was getting better but still couldn’t put my foot flat on the floor, 5 weeks after diagnosis. asked me if i wanted the op. i chose not to and he gave the reason for the delay in seeing me was he wanted to see if physio would help. i would have taken the op without the physio’s intervention. been sorted for 7 years now with regular pilates and not working at a desk any more!

Some experience with this – I’ve had five prolapses over the last fifteen years. The first was the only one I’ve had surgery on – it wasn’t the “overnight success” that was prophesied, but got there in the end.

A little fact I’ve picked up along the way – after three years, there’s little difference between those who opt for the surgery and those who don’t (the prolapse naturally atrophies with time). Spinal surgery damages quite a lot of muscle on the way in, and (IME) is best avoided – if you can get through the pain. This is a big “if” and I’m well aware this may not be possible – I’ve been the man writhing on the floor too many times!

The good news – a disc prolapse isn’t the end of your mountain biking career. I routinely ride five to six hours off road every weekend and commute three days out of five. Your recovery is largely in your own hands – find a good physio, listen to their advice and then work at it like hell.

My sympathies – second worst pain ever experienced!!!
I was diagnosed with L5/S1 in 2001 and followed all the guidance – physio / lose weight etc(i was superfit when it went) . Did not work for me and the disc did not atrophy.
I was on painkillers for nearly two years – try to avoid this as now i have a neurolgical condition caused by poor pain management. Being referred to apain management clinic may help – most GP’s have to be pushed to do this.

The NHS (NICE)changed it’s guidelines last year – advocating passive therapy. If the pain is affecting lifestyle and you are having continued relapses – you have a hard decision to make and will have to push for resolution.

Checkout spinesurgeons.ac.uk – this is produced by spinal surgeons and gives you good advice.

There are a number of types of op
Discectomy – part of disc is removed – this can be done twice – if they have to do it a third time you will be looking at a
Laminectomy – full disc removal and spinal fusion – this is the one to avoid as 10 year outlook is poor – most have to have it done again.

I had a discectomy last year – all went well until may this year – where i now have been diagnosed with spinal stenosis and probably another op!!

Either way you will have to make some lifestyle changes.

Be very very wary of surgery and if you can get a second opinion from a neurologist.

personally I would be doing anything I can to avoid surgery

L4/L5 Disc prolapse and severe pain, with 2 bouts off work for weeks at a time (leg muscles went into spasm for hours at a time) around 2006/7. A foraminal nerve block sorted the pain and a serious amount of exercise has kept me pain free since 2007. Strangely cycling was one of the exercises that helped with the pain when it was bad.
Nerve block is an out-patient treatment involving sedation and a needle into the back. Woke up with someone else’s legs or so it seemed.

I had a prolapse about two years ago, to the point I couldn’t walk that well. Tried Physio, then a discectmy, then more Physio but none of it worked. I then had the disc removed and fusion, getting better now and I can do about two hours over Swinley. It seems to be taking ages but it is getting there, it beats not being able to ride.