Why does she say it is urgent? I am curious what concerns she has if you wait another month to do research and get another opinion,

I know each doctor is different and urgent is subjective.

What are you thinking? What time of surgery?
It is a personal decision but let us know if you have questions about he decision in front of you.

Does your doc think it's an emergency? If it's not and you can get a second opinion, I would recommend it. Second opinions are very important in the face of back surgery and most docs can get you in pretty quickly. Good luck

Get a second and even a third opinion is impotant. It may be urgent, but surely you have time for another opinion. This is your body and health. I can say from experience, don't do what I did. I got one opinion from a very well known OS and gave him the go ahead. let us know Kevin

I only ask why your doctor thinks urgent because I was considered an urgent case and still had time to get a couple of opinions. I was urgent because I ruptured a disc and lost feeling nearly instantly in most of my leg but they said I was urgent because I lost feeling in my groin so they were worried about bladder and bowel nerves.

What if you don't opt for surgery? Can they try injections or steroids?

From the reports from your MRI you indicated small bulges, which generally is something never to get alarmed about.

Nerve impingement can make the situation more to be concerned about.

Since your doctor indicated that surgery is urgent, when has she suggested to schedule the surgery?

Also, any time surgery is being considered you owe it to yourself (and perhaps a requirement from your insurance company) to get a second opinion.

If you are having bowel problems, that could be why your doctor says that surgery is urgent. Leg weakness is always considered more serious than pain or numbness. If bowel or bladder problems are left, there is a danger that they will become permanent.

Is it possible to get an urgent second opinion?

Makes sense that she is worried.
It sounds like she sent you to a specialist.
Do yourself a favor and look for another specialist in a different practice to get a 2nd opinion 'scheduled'.

I say this because you have to be comfortable with the surgeon and the opinion.

I got my first opinion from the Surgeon the ER recommended. My 2nd from the surgeon my General Practioner recommended. Luckily my 2nd squeezed me in based on my GP's name.

Is the specialist and Orthopedic Spine Doctor or Neurosurgeon? Just curious.

The bowel (or bladder) issue usually does raise a red flag. That combined with your leg weakness, I understand why she wants you to be seen quickly.

I hope you do get a second and maybe even a third opinion. Please keep in mind you want the BEST available to you for any surgery - the best in the field of your problem area, yours being back.

Please keep us updated

Saw the Othopedist yesterday. He said from looking at my MRI that I had 3 ''black'' dehydrated discs in the lumbar area and a large hernia at L4/L5. He said that I should have a discectomy but the decision is up to me.

He evaluated my left leg strengh at 3/5. From what I hear its a pretty routine operation removing the protusion and he said I should be out of the hospital the next day. The operation will probably be somewhere in March.

What do you guys think ?

If you have 100 per cent faith in this surgeon and he has given you all the pro's and con's of having this surgery, then the final decision is up to you.

I would like to think that surgeon's would not recommend an operation unless it's warranted and for all conservative treatments to be exhausted first (unless it is urgent of course). I'd also like to make sure he/she has done these procedures many many times before!

If you go for a second/third opinion, it's possible they could all suggest some different procedure/treatment and then you'll be left totally confused as to what to do for the best.

Only you can make the decision in the end, but as they are not rushing you in as an emergency, then perhaps, now you have more time, you can seek that second/third opinion to get more reassurance. That's what I did because I just wasn't sure and it's a big decision to make.

I would get a second opinion from another OS or Neurosurgeon. Did they do an EMG or Discogram to show that's the pain generator? I hope surgery will help. Charry

My thoughts...he is leaving the decision to you which is a good sign. It is a 'routine' surgery but a big one. Yes, you'll be home the next day assuming all goes well. The recovery will be a good 6 weeks and then you have to be extremely careful for 3-6 months. I think it's worth getting another opinion. Also, ask what to expect if things go wrong. Ask what to expect if you don't have the surgery?

Did he suggest anything if you opt out of the surgery?

I don't mean to bombard you with questions. I would suggest bringing someone with you to help ask/listen. It's so overwhelming that I found bringing along my husband was critical to make sure I took notes, took time to ask questions and pry when I got answers.

Good luck. Let us know what you decided.

I agree with Charry & Dnice

Please keep us updated...

please consider a second opinion to make certain that you are going down the right path. I did not get a second opinion, and now have huge regrets.

I've had two different spine doctors ask why I did not have an EMG before having my lumbar fusion, so as Charry said, that would be a good test for you to have. If nothing else, it gives you a good baseline to use for the future.

Weakness as well as bladder/bowel incontinence is an indicator that more serious problems may be going on. Pain and numbness are obviously unkind symptoms, but your surgeon is less likely to be as concerned about them.

Good luck,

SG

and it frightened me so much, along with my symptoms, that I didn't get a second opinion and I am sorry. Now, after a L4-L5 fusion, laminectomy etc - the "whole deal," I am left with much worse pain. It never got better.

And now , 3 years later and after having to have major pain meds and every "conservative" intervention I know of, have 2 badly herniated discs above the fusion and nerve impingement at 3 levels, leg weakness and "saddle" pain and numbness to boot. BUT this time around I know better and have had a 1st and 2nd opinion (ortho and neuro) and have been waiting for 6 months for a 3rd opinion from a well known neurologist. You must listen to your doc but don't "short change" yourself on opinions because in the end, you are the one who has to deal with the outcome.

Good luck and let us know how you come out. Not trying to frighten you. I just want you to be able to make an informed decision.

Got a call today and my surgery is scheduled for March 30th. It was about time because my leg has weakened significantly over the last month so that I can't even lift it off or dorsiflex my foot at all.

Also the muscle atrophy is now quite apparent and my calf feels like foam when squeezing it. Does bad leg muscle atrophy and severe leg weakness due to the pinched L4 nerve make it harder to recover after surgery ?

Recovery varies from person to person.
I had foot drop, leg weakness, and limped. After 2 surgeries, still limped...but then around month 3-4 post op, the PT and walking paid off...things got better.

So I don't think you have to worry. What you need to do is make sure the PT at the hospital spends time with you before they release you. They generally make sure you are stable when walking and if they are good, they will teach you how to get up/down stairs (they teach you how to lead up the stairs with your strong leg and down the stairs with your weak leg).

Good luck!

My Discectomy is this Friday and hope all goes well. My L4-L5 large herniation has weakened my left leg so much that I now have to walk with a cane Pre-op ! My left calf muscle has shrunk by about 80 % and my right leg is now also starting to weaken .

Does anyone with that much leg weakness has been able to recover enough of their strenght to be able to walk normally after the discectomy ?

My surgery is less than 24 hours away. Any last minute advice from you guys as to what I should look for and be worried about during my hospital stay following the discectomy ?