I have a very stubborn L5 herniation.

First injured in 2011, since then had some flare ups and a routine I would follow to get it better normally few days to few weeks.

Like an idiot in June started seeing some issues (shooting pain while bike and soreness while running for the first 8-10min) just ignored it all till I realized I could hardly walk without pain.

July finally got a MRI: L5 herniation confirmed; all my signs and symptoms go along with this finding as well: stabbing pain to dull acc in right hip, radiating pain down lateral side of right leg, some tingling in the right calf and on rare occasion some weird tingling in the foot.

Good news no loss of muscle strength and no numbness.

Bad new: cant walk most days more then 5-20 min without pain so bad I have to lay down.

It been 8 weeks since I shut down all workouts and focused primarily on recovery. I am going to PT about 2-4 x a week, I sleep on the floor, 2 rounds of oral steroids, did a PRP injection 3 weeks ago, and scheduled for a steroid injection on Friday. I have also changed my normal work load at work to allow me to lay on the floor as much as possible during the day (doing dental work all day is def not helping either).

I cant really tell if I am very slowly getting better or not.

I have Kona in the calendar for 2021 but all I really want to do is be able to function like a normal person without pain.

I am considering surgery if I cant make a sig bump in recovery by sept / oct.

I have read the other threads and surgery seems to be a mixed bag but having never gone through this before I don't really know what realistic to expect and not?

advice / help from the ST community.

Thanks, Brendan

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2024: Bevoman, Galveston, Alcatraz, Marble Falls, Santa Cruz