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Results of long-term are very encouraging. After five to 10 years, most patients with sciatica from a disc problem are back to work. Sometimes a job switch is necessary, but not always.
Conservative (nonoperative) care with medications to relieve pain and reduce inflammation can be successful. Exercise is another important tool in recovery from discogenic back pain. Physical therapy may be needed. If conservative care fails to help, then surgery to remove the disc may be advised.
Discectomy is the name of the operation. In many cases, this surgery can be done as an out-patient with minimally invasive techniques. The surgeon may only make an opening small enough to insert a long thin needle called an endoscope.
A tiny TV camera on the end allows the surgeon to see inside your spine and carefully remove any disc fragments. No further treatment may be needed.
Only a small number of people with disc problems or other back pain end up with long-term disability. Talk to your doctor about your situation. Find out what your options are and focus on health and healing.
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