Suffer mild back pain, minor protrusion of disc which presses on the L5 S1 nerve route on the left side. Treatment?
Patient: i suffer mild back pain .I have a minor protrusion of the Disc which presses on the L5 S1 nerve route on the left side.I have full mobility and have ran the dublin marathon with this ailment in 4 hrs 27 . However I have tried physio, the advice and exercize routine given in Robin MC kenzies book etc but I still have the slight pain which very often extends down my left leg and causes slight numbness to my left foot.My quality of life is affected.I am 50 yrs old, and would really like to correct this for once and all Doctor: Hello ,   Welcome at HCM.  I have read details of your question.  It looks that you are having prolapsed disc at L5-S1 & it is compressing over nerve root.This is reason for numbness & pain in foot.            Although with mild type of prolapse conservative treatment is prefeerred but if it si leading to numbness & pain which is aanoying you & affecting your life then you should go for surgery( for dissectomy).   There are various methods for this which include opening through large incision to opening through minimal incision.You should opt for surgery through minimal incision.For this you should consult to a neurosurgeon.  Hope this all will help you.  With best wishes.