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Originally Posted by chromer
GPK:
How old are you? The younger you are the more I would want a 2nd opinion on the need for surgery. Back surgeries have a high success rate the first time but if the problem recurs 25-30 years down the line (which they can if this is a degenerative issue) you are in a world of hurt.
No knock on your neuro who I'm sure is a fine doctor but he makes his nut doing surgeries. If you are in your 30's or younger get another opinion.
I assume from your post you have not taken any significant time off from swinging clubs to rest the back? You must have done the PT thing already if they are already recommending surgery. No joke but these things can clear up by themselves with time and w/o surgery in some cases. Bedrest and back strengthening exercises.
How large is the disc bulge? L5-S1 or another level?
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Chromer, I will be 34 at the end of this year. I have taken significant time from golf. I played 2 times in all of 2005 and MAYBE 5 times this year. I had an MRI done 3 weeks ago and was able to see the results of that yesterday. The L5 disk is basically shot. The jelly like fluid that is found in the disks has leaked out of that disk and is resting on my spine and the nerves of my spine. If it was something other than that, I could see not having surgery, but its clear from looking at the xray that the fluid needs to be removed from around my spine.