L5S1 tlif After failed MD, need suggestions
Hi everyone, mm a 31M. In 2025 I had an L5-S1 microdiscectomy. After a few months I had a relapse at the same level. and later underwent an epiduroscopy to help relieve the symptoms, which were tingling and sciatic pain/shooting sensations down my leg and under my foot.
The surgeon recommended a mininvasive TLIF to prevent future recurrences. However, shortly before the periduroscopy i started to improve. My lower back pain has almost disappeared, but I still have semi-constant tingling and occasional sharp pains when sitting or lying down. Standing up improves the symptoms, but they are still present throughout the day, especially when sitting or lying down.
I’m still able to carry out normal daily activities, and this improvement made me cancel the surgery for now. I would really like some advice on what to do next. Mentally, having continuous symptoms, even if tolerable, is quite exhausting. On the other hand, I’m scared of going through surgery again.
What would you do in my situation? Any advice is appreciated, thank you everyone.