To those of you that have had a herniated disc in your lower back. How many needed surgery and how many got better without the surgery? How long did it take to get back to somewhat normal activity? Thanks

It will eventually get better without surgery, but even with surgery it will never be the same.

I recommend ozone gas injections. They do not degrade the bone like steroid injections do.

I just walk around like a caveman, aint no way I’m letting a doc do surgery on my spine

Seek a facet medial RF ablation

Not sure about surgery, but there is a thing called a Nadachair that does work for some relief.

Been there, done that- - - - -about 20 years ago. I had a disc out just above my waist that was causing loss of feeling in my right leg, and a calcium deposit impinging on a nerve just below my shoulder blades. Surgery was done on both locations at the same time. Scraping the calcium deposit away was more painful and less effective than the disc surgery was. Neither procedure put me back to 100%- - - -it just made the pain manageable, and stopped the loss of function in my leg. Standing upright, sitting, or driving my car for extended periods of time is no problem. Even a slight amount of bending at the waist for more than a couple of minutes causes a lot of pain. My doc says that at my age, 76, the only option for any relief is physical therapy, since Obamacare has dercreed that he's not even allowed to do diagnostic testing, let alone reccomend any more surgery. Tylenol is my friend, at least until it starts messing with my liver functions!

Like many on this forum, I've suffered severe back injuries.
Fortunately, I recovered without surgery.
It's a long story, but by God's grace I hope that you will likewise recover.

Quick answer, do not get the surgery.

Everybody's body is different and will either mend or worsen differently.

In 2002 I ruptured my L4/L5 disc, and herniated the L3/L4, and L5/S1. I needed surgery on the L4/5, but the neurosurgeon opted to leave the others alone, at least for the time being.

20 years on, my quality of life is good, but the back is not back to 100%. Never will be. In fact, it remains fairly 'fragile' and prone to episodes of extreme local pain, and nerve pain down the leg to the foot. I'm careful how I approach anything physical.

My best advice would be to seek a trustworthy neurosurgeon, and keep your fingers crossed that whatever he recommends will work for you.

Most people get results that significantly improve their quality of life, but there are no guarantees.

That's kind of good advice too. But I will add, don't get the surgery until you really need it.

When I needed it, I was eating opioid pain killers like M&M's, and needed crutches to move around. Could not find a comfortable position at all.

Several years ago I herniated discs in my lower back L4/L5, fortunately the spine surgeon was in no rush to operate. He sent me for physical therapy which included traction, I made a full recovery and have no trouble since.

Had 2, L4-5 and L5-S1. Injury from lifting a boat battery. I felt both of them go. Felt like getting popped on my back with a rubber band. Woke up the next morning with searing sciatica down my leg. Triued a medrol dose pack that only made thinbgs worse. exactly 30 days after the injury, I had surgery. Microdiskectomies on each. That's sort of like arthoscopic surgery where the make a small incisioin just above your ass crack and go in and shave away the herniated part, but leave with an intact disc. I was back at work in a week and havedn't had many problems since. That was 15 yeara ago.

Herniated discs are a mechanical problems that are best solved with a mechnical solution.

I hope it gets well. It’s a wonder I don’t have a fuuucked up back from all the pipe I’ve carried up ladders and across ditches.

Don't listen to a bunch of old codgers about back problems. Find the best back specialist in your area, they will help you decide if you need surgery. I was in terrible pain from herniated disc's in my lower back. When it got to where I couldn't walk without a cane, or stand straight, because of tremendous pain, and couldn't feel my foot. I had surgery. It actually took almost a year to get back on track physically. One thing I know for positive, without a shadow of doubt. Without the surgery, I wouldn't be able to enjoy the lifestyle I lead today. The other thing I know for a fact, if you are overweight, and carry a tool shed over you dick, your back will hurt, if not today, tomorrow! The down side. I have pulled the scar tissue from the surgery, back packing once, and cutting firewood a couple times. Sure it's not perfect but it beats the hell out of being crippled because of fear and ignorance. Back to my opening statement, maybe you shouldn't listen to me. But your doctor you should listen too! I was 59 when I had the surgery, 72 this September. Bill

All I can say is good luck.

No idea how bad yours is. Mine is just "bulging" along with moderate to severe arthritic stenosis in the bones above and below it.

Have had the shots a couple of times, worked wonders for 6 months, good for another 6, then back to what has become "normal". Was going to look into the radio wave ablation stuff, then the car went in the creek, and in the meantime my friend who had it done and recommended the procedure said his wore off rather quickly and he's not sure he'd do it again.

Back and core strengthening exercises are your friend. And anti-inflammatories if you can tolerate them. Kidney doc took me off of them, so it's 1000mg of turmeric 2x a day now and a tylenol now and again, then something stronger when really needed.

Long, long time ago I realized there will be no more pain free days.

OH well, most days it beats looking up at the dirt above.

That sucks, MM. Sorry to hear.

I watched a friend of mine go from a strong, tough ironworker to a bridge tender over that pain and ultimately, surgery.

Have had a bad back all my life. Had herniated disc’s several times where I couldn’t even lift my legs to get out of bed. Never had surgery and only had to go out at work for 3 weeks. I’ve had over 10 steroid cortisone injections. I’ve just learned to live with it and like Slumlord said walk like a caveman. I’ve worked with several that have had multiple back surgeries and still have a bad back, 2 have went on permanent disability. My back doctor said he could go in a fuse my lower back together but I probably couldn’t bend down to tie my shoes when he was done.

In my case, T12-L1 laminectomy when I was 22, I was so happy to be going to surgery. I had a ruptured disc, cracked vertebrae and a calcium deposit pushing on my spinal chord. Today, 38 years later, I will say it was a success. I now have 5 bulging discs in my lower back with severe stenosis in a couple of them. I’m able to live with it with some Tylenol and being careful. Good luck, Dave

I've been through the gamut of back problems for over 30 years. Blew a disc in the gym squatting when I was 25. Dealt with pain on and off till my early 40's when it became unbearable and had surgery. Helped immediately and wish I had done it years before, but healthcare is a joke as far as advising patients.

If you'll notice in any professional sport such as MLB, most times when players rupture discs, they are in surgery ASAP. They want them back on the field ASAP and surgery usually is the fastest route; they don't have time to pay them for years of recovery.

Blew another disc L4/L5 about 4 years ago. This time was different with most of the pain down the hip, leg and foot. Sciatica. Went to the best surgeon around who said he could empathize because he was going through the exact same thing from a running injury. After consultation, he said he recommended against surgery. 33% it would get better, 33% it wouldn't improve, 33% it may get even worse. He told me one of his patients was a college volleyball star with the same injury and he advised her the same. She insisted on trying it, but it actually got worse. PT concentrated on posterior strengthening exercises for rehab; hamstrings, glutes, back.

I've been a gym rat for close to 40 years. We never did any "big lifts" except for squats, bench etc... mostly a bodybuilding routine. Straight legged Deads were common, but the posterior chain strength was not a priority. Never did Dead Lifts or wanted to. Big regret and mistake and if I had it to do over, dead lifts would be a staple.


During my self-supervised rehab, I read a lot about posterior chain strengthening exercises and started slowly introducing them into my routine. Romanian Dead Lifts, Trap Bar Dead Lifts, Goblet Squats, Rear Leg Elevated Bulgarian Split Squats, Reverse Hyper-Extensions, etc... Still in pain and injured, I started really light. It's been about 2 years, but now my back is better than it has been since my first injury at the age of 25. Completely transformed at this point.

I'm dead lifting 400 pounds with the trap bar and the spine isn't even an issue

Bulletproofing your lower back

You might want to consider using an inversion table. Just do it right and don’t go to extremes with it.

Herniated disc l4/l5 in 1995. Repaired and played a round of golf 30 days player.

Indiana back center. Never a regret.

I’d get multiple opinions on surgery vs alternatives and let that be your guide.

When I was first injured, I was sent to Sports Medicine. Chiropractor twisted and pulled on my back. Got progressively worse. Finally an MRI was ordered.....the Chiro said "Oh s.hit! you need a neurosurgeon". The Sports Medicine was only aggravating my injury.

I was dx'd w/ an herniated disc L4/5 last January. Was placed on an exercise regimen emphasizing strengthening core and posterior chain muscles. Weights limited to 20 lbs w/ lots of reps, and balance and flexibility training. Great improvement. I can do long hikes and only very steep climbs aggravate. Taking a break and sitting for 2 minutes when back pain starts is the secret for me on long hikes. Exercises start in the morning and continue for 5 minutes/hour all day. I am very careful about posture, bending and lifting and have been able to continue enjoying life.

Good luck


mike r

I've had 4 surgeries, started with 2 disc and kept going, lower back is now fused completely. Surgeries were 2003, 2006, 2010, 2019 so there is somewhat of a pattern. Mine also effected my legs and at times I could just fall as one would give out. I'm far from 100% and probably always will be but better after each one. Recovery is the worse, very slow healing. I'm in the process of getting a spine stimulator inserted no, hopefully they get it done this year. Went through the trial a few weeks ago where the just insert the wire leads inside near the spine, it really did improve my legs and some in the back, trial has 2 wires and the install will have 4 leads. They'll put the stimulator device 2 centimeters under the skin in the love handle area and you can control it with a remote control as to where your pain is. They told me it works similar to a pace maker but for the spine.

I have a strong back and a weak mind.

^^^^^^^ This in spades^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^Surgery is just a temporary pause in pain ...................sometimes.

Use mine twice a day

Oh boy, we can hardly wait!

From what I learned about discs (after my back surgery 30 years ago). Discs have 14 rings around the outside of the nucleus. Do something stupid, you just popped a ring and you won't get it back. They pop from the inside out. The disc will bulge to the outside for a while (herniation) but will get better if you stop being stupid. Yes it can really hurt! Steroids work wonders here. Learn to lift correctly, therapy etc.

In the real old days they would trim the outside of the disc but that was cutting away on the good rings! Not a good idea. This led to the multiple surgery thing you always hear about.

Once you've done so much damage that you break all of those rings, the nucleus blows out and you probably need surgery. MRI will show it clearly. I had several MRI's and even I could see the difference between a bulging disc and one that blew up.

I was told the only way you could blow through all 14 rings at once is a car wreck.

Get several Doctor opinions!

Three cortisone shots in my lower back about 12 years ago. It's fine now.

They say lower back surgery is 1/3 get better, 1/3 stay the same, 1/3 get worse. Upper back, thoracic is suppose to be better.

I'ld recommend a program called starting strength. Make sure to get the form right, find a coach if you can. Your back may still hurt, but it will be stronger and that helps. And for the love of God, don't do sit-ups crunches and other bullshit like that.

Wife's had 8 back surgeries between the 3 sections. Shes not getting better but it's a degenitive thing.

If you can avoid surgery, do it.

OP here. Thanks, guys, for the information and well wishes. I do plan on avoiding surgery if at all possible. Had the MRI done, ordered by the ER MD. Damn near impossible to get an appointment with a back specialist around here, they are over a month out for appointments. Trying to stay active by walking as much as my back will allow and doing some gentle back stretches and therapy recommended by the Youtube physical therapists.

Thunder: While waiting for the Doc read "Fix Your Own Back" by Robin McKenzie. If nothing else you will have a more informed discussion with the Doc.

Great point. I quit doing crunches and sit ups as part of the recommendation from TNation. They are not good for your spine. Do Ab Roll-outs instead

If you’re young,stay away from the knife…

I didn’t read all this, but have had every kind of injury to back, HS ball, college ball, horse wrecks, 30 year steel worker. I had several blown disc’s and one inch bone spurs. I told 3 surgeon’s when I crawl in with my teeth, then you can cut on me. I had a great Dr. That kept me going for 13 years with adjustments. The remarkable thing is my whole back fused itself with calcium and bone spurs are nubs now, it all comes down to how tough you are, and do you want to be like all the guy’s you see getting cut on time after time.

Another great exercise for your back is Planks, put those abdominal muscles to work.

If a reputable doctor says you need surgery, and you're in bad pain, get it done. A bulging disk can be helped with exercise, etc, but if you have a ruptured disk, no amount of therapy or exercise will help it. I have had back surgery and it was not near as bad as the pain I was in. I had surgeries in two different parts of my back and I wouldn't be walking if I hadn't. Don't listen to the folks who say it will make things worse. You just need to remember that it takes nearly a whole year to get over a spinal surgery and for the scar tissue to stabilize. You also need to remember each day that you aren't 25 anymore even if you feel great.

4 bulging disks, 1 in lower back 3 in neck.

C5, 6 & 7 with arthritic stenosis as well. Diagnosed around 2003 with MRI, did some PT mostly traction. No cutting yet, the first guy I saw wanted to cut but I balked on that. Got a shot(s) that allowed the swelling/inflammation to ease off. I've worn out 3 of the neck stretchers, got a plastic contraption now that works pretty good. Look like the Borg with it on.

It ended my competitive shooting and made work a challenge for a while, hard to work with small parts when you have no feeling in your fingertips and the whole arm felt like it was being boiled.

The lower back disk so far has just been a aggravation, twist wrong or lift and twist and it will give me hell for a few days. Don't take long to learn what not to do.

OP, it took about 2 months for the pinched nerves in my neck settled down and pain/numbness pretty much stopped.

Good luck!

I’m always surprised about the folks who are dogmatic about these things based on their own personal experience. It just doesn’t work that way. Pain management is often a complicated problem sometimes requiring a multimodal approach. There is no one thing that works for everybody, but just about something that works for someone.

I’ve probably done well over a thousand epidural steroid injections, facet joint injections, nerve root blocks, and the like, from the neck to the coccyx, many giving pain relief for a time (sometime for years) and some not working at all.

Surgery is unavoidable at times, and necessary, but it should be down the list of things to try first.

First thing is a doc who will do an exam, order an x-ray, MRI or CT scan, maybe some labs, not just write a script. The Diagnoses needs to be made before proceeding. Maybe you want a second opinion also.

I have 8 ruptured disks and multiple other levels with other problems so I have a little experience with back problems as most of us at least once in our lives. For most back problems time and changing behaviors/motions will help out tremendously, others not so.

I have had 3 surgeries at L5-S1 and each time I felt better a month after surgery than I did before. As I look at it back surgery is not elective you only accept after every other approach fails. One surgery was an emergency because they were very concerned about permanently losing significant strength in my left leg, sciatic had major pressure that needed to be relieved immediately.

The bulk of the rest of the problems are in my thoracic and I would give most of what I have if there was a surgical option for those levels. The ribs make it very difficult to gain access to the disks so thoracic disk ruptures are very difficult to deal with when multiple levels are bad, they need a good level or two to tie hardware to for a fusion.

I work out most every day, I do deep water exercise so there is no impact and this helps me both physically and emotionally (because I can do this). I am able to do most things men in their 60's can do, maybe a little more pain but at least I can do it. Most days if you saw me on the street you would not know that I am in significant pain, I have had a lot of practice (30 years) masking the pain. Even with the pain my quality of life is pretty high, but it takes work.

You have to find a path that works best for you and this may take a lot of trial and error. You will run into many people who say they would never have back surgery, most of them have never had more than a slight twinge of pain in their back so they do not speak from experience.

I had fusion on L4 and L5, 2.5 years ago.
Did great afterwards, no more pain !
Back in August of last year, I started getting this pain in my left hip. Felt like my hip was out.
I work for FedEx freight, and deal with big, heavy, stuff everyday.
Go to the chiropractor, adjusts me, and the pain was still there. Go back a week later, and he says I probably messed up my IT band that runs down my leg.
It'll take several months to heal, do these exercises.
Pain was getting worse over the next coupla months. Go see a different chiropractor, he takes an x ray, and says my problem is my neck, and its beyond me.
Fast forward, I'm now on oxycodone, and awaiting fusion for L2 and L3, my already fused L4 and L5.
What they don't tell you is, you will experience another failure, depending on which vertebrae, above or below what you had fixed.
Wish I'd get this over already. I'm sick of the pain, and sitting around, so I don't do more damage to my back.