I am 30 Year old women having spine (disc) issue. According to my MRI report ?Posterior and left paracentral disc extrusion at L5-S1 level superior migration causing compression on left existing nerve?. Due to this the toes of my left foot has lost power restricting dorsiflexion. There is no back pain and I am able to move and walk freely without any issue. The numbness and sensation have shown recovery after 15 days of physiotherapy. My doctor has advised for surgery but I am reluctant to go for it. My two questions are 1) Whether it is possible to get recovery without surgery? If yes what precautions should be taken? 2) I fear further damage due to this nerve compression. Whether there are chances of further damage due to this if I don?t go for surgery?

Dr. Vivek AOrthopedist10yrs exp

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Hello madam, The symptoms described by you and the MRI report corelate. It means that you have significant disc problem. It is considered as a strong indicator of surgery if you have weakness of muscle. Generally for disc related problems conservative treatment by medication and physiotherapy will work, but when muscle weakness is present, then there is high risk of progression and chances of recovery of muscle power cannot be predicted. If you recover from this problem without surgery it will be great, but have to be lucky. But if it gets worse then you may have to be only sorry. Unfortunately no test or no Surgeon can predict if someone in your position will recover or not. Ifeel the doctor who has seen you in person has more information about you than me, so my advice would be to get your self treated as per his decision. If you have any questions contact me on this platform.  

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