26M | L4–L5 Disc Herniation + Severe Central Canal Stenosis - Looking for Experiences
I’m a 26 year old male with an L4–L5 disc herniation and severe central spinal canal stenosis.
Since mid 2017, I’ve had lower back pain, but over the last 2 months it has become much worse, especially over the last 2 weeks.
I’ve also attached my recent MRI print and report.
Symptoms:
Lower back pain
Pain radiating down the back of left leg (thigh to sometimes the calf)
Sitting is quite painful
Walking is manageable but painful
No bladder or bowel issues
What I’ve tried:
Physiotherapy
3 sessions of dry needling (which i assume actually worsened the pain over the days)
Rest and activity modification
Since my symptoms are worsening, my doctors have mentioned microdiscectomy if conservative treatment doesn’t help.
I’d love to hear from anyone who has been through something similar:
- Did you recover without surgery, or did you need one?
- If you had a microdiscectomy, was it worth it? Should I be worried about reherniation of disc??
- How long did recovery take before you could return to work, the gym, or sports?
- If you recovered without surgery, how long did it take?
Any advice or personal experiences would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!