[dodompus]

#7568

Message:
Hello my name is Dorian Z I am an ophthalmologist and since a year ago have pain in my right leg from sep to october this year I had so much pain I could not walk now I am a bit better but far away from normal . I had two epidural injections one genera and one selective block, as well as a number of chiropractor + osteopath chinese medicine , acupuncture you name it. and still with pain in the leg , some days are better than others and i have no neurological disorder although i do feel tingling in my leg. I did an MRI and was told i have a herniated disc from L4-L5 and L5-S1 I am interested in knowing what are my alternatives in treatment , and Im interested in getting treated soon thanks for your help will be waiting for your replay Dr Z

[Donald Corenman, MD, DC]

#7569

Please see the section under “Treatment”/”When to have lower back surgery” for a full understanding of when to have and not to have surgery.

I assume you have no motor weakness as that is an indication for surgical intervention in my opinion.

The question is when to consider surgery if there is no motor weakness but pain and numbness are still present. In that situation, I think the window to consider surgery is three to six months after onset of symptoms. If your symptoms were somewhat tolerable but disconcerting and you underwent both therapy and epidural injections for the first three months without a significant drop in symptoms, you should consider a microdiscectomy.

Treatment alternatives include membrane stabilizers (Lyrica, Neurontin and the like), continued epidurals, continued therapy, home exercises and possibly acupuncture.

Dr. Corenman

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