still have really bad sciatica even after getting my s1-l5 and l4-l5 replaced
I don't know what I can even do anymore to help with the pain. I'm 6 months post op and I thought since the microdisectomy on my l4-l5 gave me the ability to walk again because my hernia was that bad that the disc replacements on my l4-l5 and s1-l5 would greatly reduce my sciatica but that's not the case. The only thing the disc replacements did was make my back feel more structurally sound where I can bend down and my back no longer feels like it's going to give out and my back goes stiff as a board and can't move at all. Big improvement but it hasn't done really anything for the pain. Feels like my legs are going to explode from the inside out all the time and I'm taking opiates and xanax to try and dull the pain signals which helps but still doesn't completely get rid of the pain. The only other disc I might need surgery on is my l2-l3 but I read that shouldn't cause sciatica because it's too high up to affect it (has a 14mm vertical by 4mm horizontal fragment). Any advice?
Posted Mar 4, 2026, 12:09 PM UTC