Should I have surgery for a herniated disc?Introduction
This information will help you understand your choices,
whether you share in the decision-making process or rely on your doctor's
recommendation. Key points in making your decision A herniated
disc may be treated nonsurgically or with surgery. Consider the following when
making your decision: - Most herniated discs heal, and pain eases
after a few months of nonsurgical treatment, such as rest, medicines,
injections, and rehabilitation. Nonsurgical treatment may relieve your symptoms
significantly and enable you to resume your daily activities.
- If
you have severe pain, numbness, or weakness in your buttocks and legs (sciatica) that is caused by a herniated disc, surgery
may give you relief.
- You may want to consider surgery if you have
had severe sciatica for longer than a month.
- If you have moderate
to severe pain, you will probably experience faster relief if you have surgery.
But after 5 to 10 years, the functional results (how well you can do your daily
activities) are likely to be about the same whether you have surgery or
not.1
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