[dshobbies]

Your questions are one of the reasons we all say you need to educate yourself. Why you have to ask other people instead of doctors trying to reassure you is a question we all have.

A herniation (protrusion) is when the disc material, described by Mark as crab meat like, bulges out of its normal space, kind of like a tire that is bulging.

The discs are named for the vertabrae they cushion. S1 is the lowest lumbar, followed by L5, L4 and so on. A disc would have the name S1/L5 or L4/L5. Above the lumbar is thorasic and cervical.

A neuro surgeon or an ortho surgeon can both perform back surgeries but you want someone who specializes in spines. If you're being sent to a surgeon, we can assume it's for a possible surgery. They might want to perform a discectomy where the protuding part of the disc is cut off. This is where you education comes in.

You have to ask your doctor what other remedies, including non-surgical might be available to you. Ask what kind of outcome you can expect. Then get a second and possibly a third opinion.

What doctors don't tell you is that a discectomy may very well compromise your disc, create scar tissue and have as adverse effect on adjacent segments. That's why surgery should be your last resort. It can also compromise the success of future surgeries.

While it's very premature to be considering ADRs, it is something you should be discussing with your doctors. If they are unfamiliar with the procedure, they are not likely to recommend it. However, this is quite a drastic step and one that should only be explored when you have all the facts, understand them and can make an informed decision. Until then, ask your doctors and ask us all you want. If a doctor doesn't want to answer your questions, find another one.

Good luck,
Dale