Dr. Su has been my spine surgeon for several years, extremely clear with all explanations of diagnoses and procedures. And, best of all, he really listens!
Dr su good am where are located i am interested with your topic coz this my concern i am suffering this for almost 11 years now so i want to see in person so i can explain my case regards my spine problem with this i can hardly walked and easily got fatique i cant move well i suffer feet numbness tingling and many more please help me thank you
@@snipermike28 Dr Su's contact info is online. Just Google his name. But hopefully by now you've already found him. Hoping you find the key to a healthy life!
I have had quite a few spine surgeries including an ALIF that almost took my life. My first surgeon waited for almost 3 years to do my first surgery because he was relying solely on the CT scan (which for me never tells the whole story of what is going on inside of my body). The result of the delay is permanent nerve damage, loss of my prestigious career, and inability to live with a reasonable quality of life due to constant level 6-8 pain. None of my doctors have explained spine issues and surgery better than Dr Su. I am currently dealing with yet another herniation (I currently have three fusion levels). Dr Su’s videos are helping me tremendously in having more control over my decisions; thank you so much!
I hope you sue the Dr. bc they waited until your pain was so bad that you didn't have a choice but to have surgery. 3 yrs? I really pray there's a way for your life to be restored. Your Dr. minimized your pain and dismissed your concerns, the same thing happened to me I truly understand and pray you receive the medical care and justice you fully deserve. 🙏🏾
Right! I really had a very bad encounter with a general vascular doctor,he doesn't know how to act and talk professional with his patient.....No empathyn,no concern and seems like it's only money matter
My experience on Epidural Steriod Injection almost had an immediate effect. I thought I was back to normal. It helped a lot. Although I’m still nursing it but I’m glad the pain had faded for 8-months now.
That was how I felt after my first two epidurals for about 4 months. I just had my 3rd and am hoping to get my 4th this next week. So far I am still in intense pain. Its not looking good...
I'm terrified of that sticking needles in my back. I've already had two surgeries on my back I just I mean come on I'm terrified people stabbing me in the back I mean can I drive home afterwards I mean I have to drive 3 hours to get home this is the first video I have found that even talks about that in the side effects
@@littleme3597 you know I just had my local doctor give me the i v, and now I'm good for year yeah I don't know anybody that has a car I'm the only one that does. I talked to my doctor about the needles versus the pills and the current medications I'm on so he gave me the pills. I would take them every Saturday and they knock me out couldn't do anything. So after six weeks of that I went back into the doctor and he told me he has an IV so I opted for that. I haven't had a problem so far and I don't need this another IV for a year. I did have a massive headache for a couple days but it went away and I'm feeling fine. He changed my supplements around and yeah we're going to do another blood drawn next month see how I'm doing but I've had two and six months in the last one I had was really good, so I'm on the right path
Awesome video! I had to search the internet learning bits at a time and contending with misleading information before I could even begin to know what was going on with my back. I really wish I had found your videos first! They are so informative and professionally done! I hope people can discover your channel more frequently so they can jump start their recovery!
This is a great video, I am a medical student with a herniation at L5-S1. This ONE video was better than most of my lectures and actual consultations with a Neurosurgeon which I paid for privately. Watch this and apply the advice if you are struggling trust me!
This is an excellent video and an excellent UA-cam channel. I'm currently 47 years old. I had a microdiscectomy at the L5/S1 level about 9 years ago now. It was 100% successful and I've been completely pain free for those 9 years. However, this year, I started to get pain in my leg again, but this time on the other side i.e. the other leg, but the pain feels the same (burning down the outside of my calf) and I know that it's coming from the same disc. At the time that my surgery was done, the neurosurgeon reported to me that the herniated disc portion was very large and it had in fact dislodged itself from the disc and had attached to the nerve. The scar tissue was already visible on the disc when the surgeon went in. Thus, my neurosurgeon had to carefully remove the herniated portion for the nerve where it had attached itself. He did mention to me that because the herniated portion was so large I may have some issues in the future. Well, the future has now arrived and I'm having issues. It's very depressing and emotionally draining to be back here. My question is whether any new surgeries have been developed whereby a substance can be injected back into the disc thereby inflating it. Almost like a flat tire on a car. A spinal fusion is such a massive surgery and so many people could benefit from a much simpler procedure whereby a nucleus type substance is injected back into the disc, causing the disc to gain height and releasing the trapped sciatic nerve. Dr. Su, I would love a video perhaps detailing what advancements have been made in regard to treating disc's that have lost their height due to large disc herniations. Thanks very much.
I've watched many related videos on the subject, but this series about lower back disk herniation is by far the best. It addresses all my questions including what does the disk inside contents look like, where and how it goes away on its own, how exactly is surgery performed. Thank you so much for these videos! Many kudos and all the best 🙏🏻
I like this video too. At least it helps with fear, anxiety, being in the dark..and NOT KNOWING anything! I doubt most spine surgeons want to explain a lot after years of doing this. lol.
This is an awesome video and I applaud the professionalism of Dr SU for educating its patient. I'm going to surgery in 4 days with him and feel very confident and all my fears are gone. THANK YOU Dr SU
I am so impressed. My appointment with Dr. Su is coming up and the detailed explanations for what may be part of treatment protocol is dramatically lessening anxiety levels. Thank you for proactively educating your patients and the community.
Dr. Su, I appreciate that you took the time to simply explain and illustrate the issues, procedures, and outcomes. You have given me peace of mind for my upcoming surgery. I will be sharing your videos with a number of individuals. Thank you.
I have lumbar herniation in discs 1,2,3,4, and am soon to have surgery. Dr. su is helping tremendously in increasing my knowledge of the problem and treatment options. Thank you.
Excellent series. I have watched these several times for a year after dealing with numbness and gradually intensifying pain over the past 2 years. I have done every single non-surgical practice you suggested only to have symptoms increase. My quality of life is diminishing greatly and I am only 62. Thanks to your series, I think I have a full understanding of the situation. I have decided after much contemplation to move ahead with surgery, even thought I am very anti-surgery in general. I am in the Midwest near Northwestern and am now blocking out all the naysayers for this surgery and moving on through the process with a smile on my face and the confidence that it will work. I am now willing to do it and take the risks because my quality of life is extremely important to me. I wish you were closer - I would travel to you but I feel confident the Northwestern surgeons will know the best way to help me.
I’m in Chicago looking for a surgeon for my herniated disc. I’m near Northwestern. If you don’t mind sharing, who did you go to? How are you doing since the surgery? Was it worth it?
Thank you for this wonderfully educational and simply explained video, Dr. Su. I'm debating between treatments right now for my L5-S1 herniation recurrence, and the information you provided along with the playdoh visuals really helped me better understand what's going on inside my body, and how the surgery may impact my back. I'm feeling more at ease because I have had a lot of questions answered. I still have a surgical consult coming up so now I think I'll be able to follow the discussion better. Thank you so much!
I am so far away in the Cayman Islands, so I know that I cannot have you do my surgery. I feel so much more educated on this topic because of you. Thank you.
This was so specific , and detailed.. I feel a little better, I’m getting my first epidural, I’m so nervous, but an intervention is a must…. I fell out of a second story window at 18 y/o.. now that I’m older I’m having problems.. I’ll keep you up to date..
I was constantly taking gabapentin 600mg with Advil 600mg, but when I fell my pain got worst. Epidural after two years of treatment every two months, gave me Epidural Lomatosis and increased lower back pain, and groin pain.. Please read my other comment that I sent on another video: Lumber Herniation Part 2.. LIVE WITH THE PAIN! Sir, I haven't had a normal sleep, appetite and pain.. I went to the EMR, bc my PT thought I had Cauda Equina.. 15 hours in EMR and yet nothing was done, but told to see a Neurologist.
This video is so informative. I am currently suffering from severe leg pain from a herniated disc. I received an epidural steroid about 9 days ago and although it alleviated the pain some, it is still pretty severe to the point where it is affecting my quality of life. I will be going over my options with the spine surgeon and discuss my MRI findings. I believe surgery is a real possibility for me and it’s a scary thing. This video definitely put me more at ease should I need a micro discectomy. Thank you Dr. Su!!
Really needed this break down. Grateful for this information. I'm having L5-S1 issues and was told I have some form of arthritis in that area. Getting an MRI in a couple of wks. (On the 23rd of this month). Ready, to see what my spine specialist is going to say / do for treatment. I'm so ready to walk normal again w/o pain and numbness.🙌🏾✌🏾👑
Excellent video, well explained, I'm on the waiting list for that procedure, removing some bone and taking the pressure off the nerve. In the meantime I have learnt a lot of information on excercise and have recently brought a inversion table, very good stretch excercise obviously in moderation. I will see how my sciatica pain goes before deciding on operation.
I watched the 3-part series and I want to sincerely thank you. I now have a better understanding of what my situation is and the type of intervention involved - noting that I have am a complicated case.
You give the best of the best explanations and visual explanations that I have seen while searching for answers. I am due to have the injection in the next week and wanted to know the who, what, where, why when and how of the procedure, results and steps before and after, and I must say, YOU ARE THE BEST. THANK YOU AND KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK.
Much respect for making this video Dr. Su 👊 This is easily the most informative essay on the topic of disk herniations I could find. Very relieving having this explained clearly and in entirety. Thanks again
This was a very good and extensive overview of spinal disc issues. I had a dyssectomy 20 years ago where the surgeon took 75% of my disc out, but my outcome was not all that great. Perhaps coincidentally, I had psoriasis onset which has been with me ever since. I always felt it was related with my back and seems possible as Dr Su described the jelly is a foreign substance
Thank you for explaining this now maybe I can go back to the doctor and explain it to him that I need surgery. I am a 3 my herniation is around the L3 L4. I've already tried anti-inflammatories to the point where I have ulcers and the epidural has not worked. My quality of life is about 0. I can barely move. At least this way I can explain my situation better after listening to the video
I have lower back pain. I wish I could go to you for treatment. I am here in Europe. I still have to look for a good back pain doctor. Thank you all the explanation. It was very interesting.
I wish I lived near you so you could review my case and recommend a best course of action. I had leg pain back to high school (graduated '82) and had surgery in about 2002 and it was amazing. I fell a year later which caused additional damage and just got by until 2008. I had surgery in 2008 and woke up from surgery with excruciating pain on the left side in the ball of my foot and two toes. A year later (2009) they redid the surgery and put in titanium screws (which I didn't know). I began seeing a pain Dr. and in 2011 they took the screws out to see if that would help relieve some of the pain. I have tried trigger point injections, acupuncture, chiropractic and I now I take methadone. My pain is getting worse and noone knows what to do. The pain is now in my left hip and affects my walking - I am EXHAUSTED FROM PAIN AND AM DESPERATE FOR ANSWERS!! 😪
Great video! Ive had 3 back surgeries 1 at age 19 and then 2 at 28 im 41 now and have another herniated disc but this one is not near as bad as the ones that required surgery.
Thank you for posting this. I had an MRI Friday as I'm having issues with my right leg. I told my dr and it seems she didn't believe me . I have scoliosis. I'm diagnosing my own symptoms. Getting an xray and MRI. Thanks!!!
Thank you! I wish you were close in Florida. I am dependent on pain management right now. May need to see a surgeon if the next round of injections do not work. The first time I had an ablation four years ago worked well. This time, no improvement. Darn.
I'm due to go into hospital in about 4 months time, I've had back pain in my 4th and 5th Vertebrae and pins and needles in my legs and feet. I've had x ray, MRI scan and now waiting for a CT scan. I live in Spain but from the UK. I can't speak the language so I have to rely on a translator. I'm 74 always been fit, used to coach squash and racket ball. I fell heavily on my back on metal steps and think this is a cause of my injury. The consultant said he was going to do an operation that is not too invasive so I guess it is like you have demonstrated in your video.
Thank you for your information and explanations. I will discuss them to my doctor which could be the best option to be done to me. I can’t bear anymore the non stop severe pains and swelling of
I appreciate all of the time dr.su.took to really explain everything..thanks ur videos are the best n giving me a piece of mind...since I'm still living with severe lower lumbar pain...2 years like this..n it sucks..u have no life
Thank you from South Carolina. I have herniated disks,spondylilothesis and bone spurs. The pain is in hip and leg and foot leg is partially numb with radiating pain down side and to big toe. Physiatrist is going over mri next week. Currently tried pt,RFA worked twice 3rd time pain worse than before. Meloxicam helping some and methocarbamol. Icepack helps most and lying flat. Quality of life has gotten worse cant stand in one position long pain stsrts. Walking pain starts. Pain is getting worse everyday do not want narcotics, but can become unbearable if i try to do too much. Thank you for videos great info. Wish you were in South Carolina!
Very informative video I had an l4-l5 herniation with a partial tear did epidural with 12 weeks Pt pain started coming back went to see a chiropractor recommended by a close friend and did a treatment plan of about 18 visits 3x3 2x3 and 1x3 currently I go once or twice a month for adjustment. Just this past week I fell asleep on my couch and the pain is back idk what I did if I slept funny or what but the pain is bearable unless I move in certain ways then it feels very intense just like it did before with my herniation. I still had some meloxicam left over from the last time so I’ve been taking that but I fear that surgical intervention is going to be needed to address the issue.
Could you comment or do a video on the microdiscectomy procedure vs the even less invasive endoscopic procedure for herniated disk removal? Why would you use one over the other and the pros and cons to each.
I'm glad you mentioned Cauda Equina Syndrome which is what I had and I got an emergency laminectomy 14 years ago. Everything was fine until 2012. I went back to the fucking neurosurgeon who did my laminectomy and even though I was in extreme pain he told I needed to lose weight. I lost weight and I still have unbearable bc pain and two degenerative disc in my lower back and arthritis in my spine and hips.What is the point in advising patients to wait to have surgery for !at of us to end up worse than before?
thank you for the insights.... I have disc herniation and my doctor advise me surgery. :( Your video helps me with my psychological preparations. It's good to always have knowledge.
Hi Dr. Su, I’m considering surgery now and am curious if it makes sense for me to pursue this. My hx in 2020 I had an accident had 6/10 sciatic pain for about 6 months. Had a left lateral shift, with pain worsening with standing/ walking. Had MRI said had disc extrusion with severe foraminal narrowing. Surgery was recommended as I also had 3 weakness. I opted to do conservative Tx and did PT 1/wk and massage, and had 1x spinal injection with good effect. Still had nerve pain in glute (chronic). In 2022 nerve pain worsened in opposite leg had MRI which was congruent with symptoms however initial 2020 extrusion had become disc bulge but shifted to left side. Now 2023 had another MRI with similar symptoms of 1st MRI, had another disc extrusion again to L4/L5 with sever narrowing, no weakness just foot drop at times. I have been referred to spinal surgeon. I am 34 F non-smoker with athletic build. I routinely did core,glute and strength training frequently before recent confirmed herniation. Between 3 MRI I have had other flare up with sciatica and LLshift but symptoms improved within few weeks so only temporary disruption. My QOL is greatly affected d/t chronic nerve pain in glute, with flare ups of extreme back/ sciatica pain in the last 3 years that have frequently negatively impacted all aspects of my life. The glute nerve pain I can deal with, but having 1-2 severe disc herniations per year AEB aforementioned symptoms identical to MRI findings, is tough. My question: 1) Is a microdisectomy a good choice for me if the only benefit is pain relief? 2) Will it actually prevent another disc herniation from occurring at the L4/L5 as this disc seems to keep re-herniating despite aforementioned measures? 3)Is there a recommended surgery that is better for a disc that keeps re-herniating AEB MRI and symptoms (please note: I have not had a surgery yet)? Thank You!
Dr. Su thank you for this incredible video. Today I got my results from my MRI and looks like I have a L5-Sl herniation and flatten lumbar lordosis. I took some steroids for five days and they really helped me a lot with my inflammation. Next week I have physical therapy because some of my pain is down a little bit, but if that doesn’t help me with my issues and then I’ll go to see a spinal surgeon. I’m having trouble to walk, numbness in my right leg and pain in my hip. Also I started feeling some pain going up to my neck but I not sure if is because I’m stressed out. I might have to go see the pain doctor for the epidural shot. If you have any advice for me I’ll appreciate it a lot. Thank you!
I most definitely can relate to your situation as I'm dealing with numbness on my right side as well. (From my hip, back of thigh all the way down to the outer part of my feet)🙄....MRI coming up soon for me. I hope all is well with you....I appreciate your sharing a piece of your story. Be Blessed.🙏🏾✌🏾👑
This is amazing, thank you, I have been dealing with this for years and no doctor has offered this type of education and information - for the first few years I got nothing, no anti inflammatory, no pain medication, nothing. Finally I was given Mobic/Meloxicam then told it was causing kidney failure! I lived in barbaric pain and could no longer work- could not find a doctor for steroids, pain or surgery- I don't know how I made it- I went from walking and being active to barely being able to use a walker and needing a wheelchair. I finally found a doctor who works with pain medication but still my mobility is limited and I need a more permanent answer as the acetaminophen component is risky. What type of a doctor does these surgeries?
Are the majority of lumbar disc issues considered herniated discs? Or can you just have the annulus bulge out? Thank you very much for your super informative videos.
I have had back pain since I was 9 years of age I am now 36 and I have suffered so so much I first started with one disk herniated then now I have over 10 my leg and butt is also in pain as I get more and more disk messed up I don’t know what it feels like to no have any pain sometime I wish I would just end this life but my family keeps me going I have been through 3 specialist and they all just say I’m fine with meds only or the epidural and the truth is none have worked for me I also did the needles and chiropractors massage therapist and nothing worked wish I would meet this doctor he is super smart AMEN GOD is good
This is so informative. I am presently going through this and having an injection next week. I had no idea it could possibly heal on its own. I am more optimistic now about the injections and therapy and inflammation treatments to possibly heal this without surgery. Thank you for explaining so well. I do have 1 question. If surgery is necessary should I see a neurologist or can an orthopedic dr handle this?
You're talking about hours and days, but I've been dealing with severe sciatica pain for months, due to a severe L5/S1 disc herniation (it's bone on bone). I was injured at work last year and it took months for my worker's comp case to be approved and my pain kept getting worse in the meantime. I just began PT last week after more than 6 months of pain. I don't notice much weakness, but the pain in my butt, both legs and numbness in both big toes are at times quite severe. I also wet the bed once, which has never happened to me, and have noticed reduced sexual sensitivity. I just don't feel like my doctor is treating my situation with the urgency it requires. I understand that they prefer to go thru certain steps, but a lot of time has already passed in my case and I feel like I'm wasting time on treatment that isn't doing me any good, possibly allowing my nerve damage to become permanent.
This is one of the best explanations of disc herniation that I’ve ever seen. Thank you so much!
Dr. Su has been my spine surgeon for several years, extremely clear with all explanations of diagnoses and procedures. And, best of all, he really listens!
Dr su good am where are located i am interested with your topic coz this my concern i am suffering this for almost 11 years now so i want to see in person so i can explain my case regards my spine problem with this i can hardly walked and easily got fatique i cant move well i suffer feet numbness tingling and many more please help me thank you
@@snipermike28 Dr Su's contact info is online. Just Google his name. But hopefully by now you've already found him. Hoping you find the key to a healthy life!
I have had quite a few spine surgeries including an ALIF that almost took my life. My first surgeon waited for almost 3 years to do my first surgery because he was relying solely on the CT scan (which for me never tells the whole story of what is going on inside of my body). The result of the delay is permanent nerve damage, loss of my prestigious career, and inability to live with a reasonable quality of life due to constant level 6-8 pain. None of my doctors have explained spine issues and surgery better than Dr Su. I am currently dealing with yet another herniation (I currently have three fusion levels). Dr Su’s videos are helping me tremendously in having more control over my decisions; thank you so much!
Some doctors or some hospital just don't care
They just want your money
Excellent. Thankyou
I hope you sue the Dr. bc they waited until your pain was so bad that you didn't have a choice but to have surgery. 3 yrs? I really pray there's a way for your life to be restored. Your Dr. minimized your pain and dismissed your concerns, the same thing happened to me I truly understand and pray you receive the medical care and justice you fully deserve. 🙏🏾
Right! I really had a very bad encounter with a general vascular doctor,he doesn't know how to act and talk professional with his patient.....No empathyn,no concern and seems like it's only money matter
You are one of the best and gifted professionals to explain this. Thank You
My experience on Epidural Steriod Injection almost had an immediate effect. I thought I was back to normal. It helped a lot. Although I’m still nursing it but I’m glad the pain had faded for 8-months now.
Thank you for this information. My case is severe and I'm hoping for surgery. Thank you very much for explaining these conditions and options.
That was how I felt after my first two epidurals for about 4 months. I just had my 3rd and am hoping to get my 4th this next week. So far I am still in intense pain. Its not looking good...
I'm terrified of that sticking needles in my back. I've already had two surgeries on my back I just I mean come on I'm terrified people stabbing me in the back I mean can I drive home afterwards I mean I have to drive 3 hours to get home this is the first video I have found that even talks about that in the side effects
@@greendragon4058 You need someone to take you, as they do anesthesia for epidural. No driving by you.
@@littleme3597 you know I just had my local doctor give me the i v, and now I'm good for year yeah I don't know anybody that has a car I'm the only one that does. I talked to my doctor about the needles versus the pills and the current medications I'm on so he gave me the pills. I would take them every Saturday and they knock me out couldn't do anything. So after six weeks of that I went back into the doctor and he told me he has an IV so I opted for that. I haven't had a problem so far and I don't need this another IV for a year. I did have a massive headache for a couple days but it went away and I'm feeling fine. He changed my supplements around and yeah we're going to do another blood drawn next month see how I'm doing but I've had two and six months in the last one I had was really good, so I'm on the right path
Awesome video! I had to search the internet learning bits at a time and contending with misleading information before I could even begin to know what was going on with my back. I really wish I had found your videos first! They are so informative and professionally done! I hope people can discover your channel more frequently so they can jump start their recovery!
This is a great video, I am a medical student with a herniation at L5-S1. This ONE video was better than most of my lectures and actual consultations with a Neurosurgeon which I paid for privately. Watch this and apply the advice if you are struggling trust me!
This is an excellent video and an excellent UA-cam channel. I'm currently 47 years old. I had a microdiscectomy at the L5/S1 level about 9 years ago now. It was 100% successful and I've been completely pain free for those 9 years. However, this year, I started to get pain in my leg again, but this time on the other side i.e. the other leg, but the pain feels the same (burning down the outside of my calf) and I know that it's coming from the same disc. At the time that my surgery was done, the neurosurgeon reported to me that the herniated disc portion was very large and it had in fact dislodged itself from the disc and had attached to the nerve. The scar tissue was already visible on the disc when the surgeon went in. Thus, my neurosurgeon had to carefully remove the herniated portion for the nerve where it had attached itself. He did mention to me that because the herniated portion was so large I may have some issues in the future. Well, the future has now arrived and I'm having issues. It's very depressing and emotionally draining to be back here. My question is whether any new surgeries have been developed whereby a substance can be injected back into the disc thereby inflating it. Almost like a flat tire on a car. A spinal fusion is such a massive surgery and so many people could benefit from a much simpler procedure whereby a nucleus type substance is injected back into the disc, causing the disc to gain height and releasing the trapped sciatic nerve. Dr. Su, I would love a video perhaps detailing what advancements have been made in regard to treating disc's that have lost their height due to large disc herniations. Thanks very much.
There are some things on the horizon but nothing evidence-based yet
Incredible priceless information. Relieving to know one shouldn’t rush to surgery. Thank you.
I've watched many related videos on the subject, but this series about lower back disk herniation is by far the best. It addresses all my questions including what does the disk inside contents look like, where and how it goes away on its own, how exactly is surgery performed.
Thank you so much for these videos! Many kudos and all the best 🙏🏻
I like this video too. At least it helps with fear, anxiety, being in the dark..and NOT KNOWING anything! I doubt most spine surgeons want to explain a lot after years of doing this. lol.
This is an awesome video and I applaud the professionalism of Dr SU for educating its patient. I'm going to surgery in 4 days with him and feel very confident and all my fears are gone. THANK YOU Dr SU
How are you now brother?
I am so impressed. My appointment with Dr. Su is coming up and the detailed explanations for what may be part of treatment protocol is dramatically lessening anxiety levels. Thank you for proactively educating your patients and the community.
Dr. Su, I appreciate that you took the time to simply explain and illustrate the issues, procedures, and outcomes. You have given me peace of mind for my upcoming surgery. I will be sharing your videos with a number of individuals. Thank you.
I have watched numerous videos on this problem. You are by far the best! Your knowledge and way of explaining is second to none. Thank you.
I have lumbar herniation in discs 1,2,3,4, and am soon to have surgery. Dr. su is helping tremendously in increasing my knowledge of the problem and treatment options. Thank you.
Best videos on the internet for spine. Thank you so much!!!!
Best video ever..Thank you! I have more w/ your videos than 4 years of schooling..Thank you Doc!
From experience, this video is the most accurate description for the herniated disc problem.
World needs you. For endless and for ever
Very informative. Finally, a doctor who can speak to the patient!
This video is so good. Very helpful and easy to understand! You covered every single thing and explained everything so well. Bravo and thanks a lot.
Excellent series. I have watched these several times for a year after dealing with numbness and gradually intensifying pain over the past 2 years. I have done every single non-surgical practice you suggested only to have symptoms increase. My quality of life is diminishing greatly and I am only 62. Thanks to your series, I think I have a full understanding of the situation. I have decided after much contemplation to move ahead with surgery, even thought I am very anti-surgery in general. I am in the Midwest near Northwestern and am now blocking out all the naysayers for this surgery and moving on through the process with a smile on my face and the confidence that it will work. I am now willing to do it and take the risks because my quality of life is extremely important to me. I wish you were closer - I would travel to you but I feel confident the Northwestern surgeons will know the best way to help me.
The surgeons there are terrific. Good luck.
i am 17 and my situation is just like you , I feel like giving up sometimes
I’m in Chicago looking for a surgeon for my herniated disc. I’m near Northwestern. If you don’t mind sharing, who did you go to? How are you doing since the surgery? Was it worth it?
Very thorough and informative overview of treatment options for lumbar disc herniation.
BY FAR THE BEST INFORMATIVE VIDEO'S I HAVE WATCHED.
A brilliant and comprehensive explanation by Dr. Su
Great manner communication -explaining lumbar stenosis and treatment. Thank you.
Great information. I am an NP in pain management and will refer my patients to your website. Thank you for accurate and easily understood information!
Very easy to understand. Plan to continue following him. So glad I watched. This has given me hope
Dr. Brain, thanks for endless and for ever for you. You are The BEST all over the world.
Thank you for this wonderfully educational and simply explained video, Dr. Su. I'm debating between treatments right now for my L5-S1 herniation recurrence, and the information you provided along with the playdoh visuals really helped me better understand what's going on inside my body, and how the surgery may impact my back. I'm feeling more at ease because I have had a lot of questions answered. I still have a surgical consult coming up so now I think I'll be able to follow the discussion better. Thank you so much!
I am so far away in the Cayman Islands, so I know that I cannot have you do my surgery. I feel so much more educated on this topic because of you. Thank you.
That was very detailed and much better than the pain doctor and surgeon i have met with several times in the past 8 months… thanks
Dr. Su , I really want to thank you for a outstanding expression of the spine
This was so specific , and detailed.. I feel a little better, I’m getting my first epidural, I’m so nervous, but an intervention is a must…. I fell out of a second story window at 18 y/o.. now that I’m older I’m having problems.. I’ll keep you up to date..
I was constantly taking gabapentin 600mg with Advil 600mg, but when I fell my pain got worst. Epidural after two years of treatment every two months, gave me Epidural Lomatosis and increased lower back pain, and groin pain.. Please read my other comment that I sent on another video: Lumber Herniation Part 2.. LIVE WITH THE PAIN! Sir, I haven't had a normal sleep, appetite and pain.. I went to the EMR, bc my PT thought I had Cauda Equina.. 15 hours in EMR and yet nothing was done, but told to see a Neurologist.
This video is so informative. I am currently suffering from severe leg pain from a herniated disc. I received an epidural steroid about 9 days ago and although it alleviated the pain some, it is still pretty severe to the point where it is affecting my quality of life. I will be going over my options with the spine surgeon and discuss my MRI findings. I believe surgery is a real possibility for me and it’s a scary thing. This video definitely put me more at ease should I need a micro discectomy. Thank you Dr. Su!!
Really needed this break down. Grateful for this information. I'm having L5-S1 issues and was told I have some form of arthritis in that area. Getting an MRI in a couple of wks. (On the 23rd of this month). Ready, to see what my spine specialist is going to say / do for treatment. I'm so ready to walk normal again w/o pain and numbness.🙌🏾✌🏾👑
Excellent video, well explained, I'm on the waiting list for that procedure, removing some bone and taking the pressure off the nerve. In the meantime I have learnt a lot of information on excercise and have recently brought a inversion table, very good stretch excercise obviously in moderation. I will see how my sciatica pain goes before deciding on operation.
I watched the 3-part series and I want to sincerely thank you. I now have a better understanding of what my situation is and the type of intervention involved - noting that I have am a complicated case.
You give the best of the best explanations and visual explanations that I have seen while searching for answers. I am due to have the injection in the next week and wanted to know the who, what, where, why when and how of the procedure, results and steps before and after, and I must say, YOU ARE THE BEST.
THANK YOU AND KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK.
Excellent, actionable information I will use IF I ever have another sciatica episode, Thank you!
Much respect for making this video Dr. Su 👊 This is easily the most informative essay on the topic of disk herniations I could find. Very relieving having this explained clearly and in entirety. Thanks again
I wish I had seen this video a year ago. This is so helpful.
This man is amazing! Very informative and intelligent.
Excellent video! Thank you for helping me understand my back issues.
Great info on the anti-inflammatory and how to take it. THX
Wish I watched this before my long awaited appointment here in Canada. 🙄🙄thank you Dr. Su. Maybe I should show this to my doctor. 🙏🙏🙏
Thank you for your very informative video. I’m so glad that my lumbar/leg pain doesn’t need immediate surgery.
Fantastic. Great video.
Now I know why my husband’s twice injections and also surgery didn’t work out!!😢
Thank you for these videos!
Very informative, I need to learn whether I have a herniation or compression. Thank you for helping me become educated.
Thank you! your videos are extremely helpful..i have these issues..
This was a very good and extensive overview of spinal disc issues. I had a dyssectomy 20 years ago where the surgeon took 75% of my disc out, but my outcome was not all that great. Perhaps coincidentally, I had psoriasis onset which has been with me ever since. I always felt it was related with my back and seems possible as Dr Su described the jelly is a foreign substance
Very informative and made clear. Thank you.
Excellent explanations--thanks for making this 3-part series
Please write the names of the medicine when you talk about th
Thank you for explaining this now maybe I can go back to the doctor and explain it to him that I need surgery. I am a 3 my herniation is around the L3 L4. I've already tried anti-inflammatories to the point where I have ulcers and the epidural has not worked. My quality of life is about 0. I can barely move. At least this way I can explain my situation better after listening to the video
I have lower back pain. I wish I could go to you for treatment. I am here in Europe. I still have to look for a good back pain doctor. Thank you all the explanation. It was very interesting.
I wish I lived near you so you could review my case and recommend a best course of action. I had leg pain back to high school (graduated '82) and had surgery in about 2002 and it was amazing. I fell a year later which caused additional damage and just got by until 2008. I had surgery in 2008 and woke up from surgery with excruciating pain on the left side in the ball of my foot and two toes. A year later (2009) they redid the surgery and put in titanium screws (which I didn't know). I began seeing a pain Dr. and in 2011 they took the screws out to see if that would help relieve some of the pain. I have tried trigger point injections, acupuncture, chiropractic and I now I take methadone. My pain is getting worse and noone knows what to do. The pain is now in my left hip and affects my walking - I am EXHAUSTED FROM PAIN AND AM DESPERATE FOR ANSWERS!! 😪
When everything fails you may want to consider a spinal cord stimulator. As a disclaimer we should always contact your spine surgeon
Great video! Ive had 3 back surgeries 1 at age 19 and then 2 at 28 im 41 now and have another herniated disc but this one is not near as bad as the ones that required surgery.
Great explanation of this condition and the treatment.
Thank you for posting this. I had an MRI Friday as I'm having issues with my right leg. I told my dr and it seems she didn't believe me . I have scoliosis. I'm diagnosing my own symptoms. Getting an xray and MRI. Thanks!!!
Best video I have watched on this subject.
Thank you! I wish you were close in Florida. I am dependent on pain management right now. May need to see a surgeon if the next round of injections do not work. The first time I had an ablation four years ago worked well. This time, no improvement. Darn.
I'm due to go into hospital in about 4 months time, I've had back pain in my 4th and 5th Vertebrae and pins and needles in my legs and feet. I've had x ray, MRI scan and now waiting for a CT scan. I live in Spain but from the UK. I can't speak the language so I have to rely on a translator. I'm 74 always been fit, used to coach squash and racket ball. I fell heavily on my back on metal steps and think this is a cause of my injury. The consultant said he was going to do an operation that is not too invasive so I guess it is like you have demonstrated in your video.
This was amazing
I did surgery of microdisectomy L3-4 selective root block L3/4 RT
Thank you for your information and explanations. I will discuss them to my doctor which could be the best option to be done to me. I can’t bear anymore the non stop severe pains and swelling of
I appreciate all of the time dr.su.took to really explain everything..thanks ur videos are the best n giving me a piece of mind...since I'm still living with severe lower lumbar pain...2 years like this..n it sucks..u have no life
Pretty good. Very exact explanations.
Thank you for this amazing Explanations.
Thank you from South Carolina. I have herniated disks,spondylilothesis and bone spurs. The pain is in hip and leg and foot leg is partially numb with radiating pain down side and to big toe. Physiatrist is going over mri next week. Currently tried pt,RFA worked twice 3rd time pain worse than before. Meloxicam helping some and methocarbamol. Icepack helps most and lying flat. Quality of life has gotten worse cant stand in one position long pain stsrts. Walking pain starts. Pain is getting worse everyday do not want narcotics, but can become unbearable if i try to do too much. Thank you for videos great info. Wish you were in South Carolina!
Very informative video I had an l4-l5 herniation with a partial tear did epidural with 12 weeks Pt pain started coming back went to see a chiropractor recommended by a close friend and did a treatment plan of about 18 visits 3x3 2x3 and 1x3 currently I go once or twice a month for adjustment. Just this past week I fell asleep on my couch and the pain is back idk what I did if I slept funny or what but the pain is bearable unless I move in certain ways then it feels very intense just like it did before with my herniation. I still had some meloxicam left over from the last time so I’ve been taking that but I fear that surgical intervention is going to be needed to address the issue.
Do you consider “spacing” of the disks? Thank you for the great explanations. 21:48
What great information and we'll presented, thank you!
Fantastic explanation. Thank you
Wow! Thank you for giving hope🙏
Ive noticed when my shoe insoles are worn my back starts hurting I put in new ones i feel good! Big thing is dont let it lock up straight stretching
Very informative video! Thank you for this!
Amazing video and gave me hope for my disc herniation now going on month 4 with some nasty sciatic pain.
This was very informative!!! Thank you
Could you comment or do a video on the microdiscectomy procedure vs the even less invasive endoscopic procedure for herniated disk removal?
Why would you use one over the other and the pros and cons to each.
Yes I could. Endoscopic spine surgery is just becoming more popular now. It is still in its infancy but I think it's promising
Very informative, thank you’
I'm glad you mentioned Cauda Equina Syndrome which is what I had and I got an emergency laminectomy 14 years ago. Everything was fine until 2012. I went back to the fucking neurosurgeon who did my laminectomy and even though I was in extreme pain he told I needed to lose weight. I lost weight and I still have unbearable bc pain and two degenerative disc in my lower back and arthritis in my spine and hips.What is the point in advising patients to wait to have surgery for !at of us to end up worse than before?
You explain for us patients so well. Do the white blood cells eat away the whole nucleus that is pressing against the nerve or just some of it?
It usually eliminates the entire nucleus
What then happens with no nucleus inside the disk?
And if the white cell eat the entire nucleus how does another herniation happen
Thank you for the great info!
Awsome video thanks Brian
thank you for the insights.... I have disc herniation and my doctor advise me surgery. :( Your video helps me with my psychological preparations. It's good to always have knowledge.
Hi Dr. Su,
I’m considering surgery now and am curious if it makes sense for me to pursue this. My hx in 2020 I had an accident had 6/10 sciatic pain for about 6 months. Had a left lateral shift, with pain worsening with standing/ walking. Had MRI said had disc extrusion with severe foraminal narrowing. Surgery was recommended as I also had 3 weakness. I opted to do conservative Tx and did PT 1/wk and massage, and had 1x spinal injection with good effect. Still had nerve pain in glute (chronic). In 2022 nerve pain worsened in opposite leg had MRI which was congruent with symptoms however initial 2020 extrusion had become disc bulge but shifted to left side. Now 2023 had another MRI with similar symptoms of 1st MRI, had another disc extrusion again to L4/L5 with sever narrowing, no weakness just foot drop at times. I have been referred to spinal surgeon. I am 34 F non-smoker with athletic build. I routinely did core,glute and strength training frequently before recent confirmed herniation. Between 3 MRI I have had other flare up with sciatica and LLshift but symptoms improved within few weeks so only temporary disruption.
My QOL is greatly affected d/t chronic nerve pain in glute, with flare ups of extreme back/ sciatica pain in the last 3 years that have frequently negatively impacted all aspects of my life. The glute nerve pain I can deal with, but having 1-2 severe disc herniations per year AEB aforementioned symptoms identical to MRI findings, is tough.
My question:
1) Is a microdisectomy a good choice for me if the only benefit is pain relief?
2) Will it actually prevent another disc herniation from occurring at the L4/L5 as this disc seems to keep re-herniating despite aforementioned measures?
3)Is there a recommended surgery that is better for a disc that keeps re-herniating AEB MRI and symptoms (please note: I have not had a surgery yet)?
Thank You!
You should make a virtual appointment with me by Calling California orthopedics and spine
Very informative!
This video is great. I show this to all my patients who have failed epidural steroid injections and want to know "what's next".
If they ever want virtual opinions they can call California orthopedics and spine for a virtual consult as well
A good explanation.Before I go to Surgeon ,watching lot of vedios to take decision.Thanks for your guidance e.
Dr. Su thank you for this incredible video. Today I got my results from my MRI and looks like I have a L5-Sl herniation and flatten lumbar lordosis. I took some steroids for five days and they really helped me a lot with my inflammation. Next week I have physical therapy because some of my pain is down a little bit, but if that doesn’t help me with my issues and then I’ll go to see a spinal surgeon. I’m having trouble to walk, numbness in my right leg and pain in my hip. Also I started feeling some pain going up to my neck but I not sure if is because I’m stressed out. I might have to go see the pain doctor for the epidural shot. If you have any advice for me I’ll appreciate it a lot. Thank you!
I most definitely can relate to your situation as I'm dealing with numbness on my right side as well. (From my hip, back of thigh all the way down to the outer part of my feet)🙄....MRI coming up soon for me. I hope all is well with you....I appreciate your sharing a piece of your story. Be Blessed.🙏🏾✌🏾👑
This is amazing, thank you, I have been dealing with this for years and no doctor has offered this type of education and information - for the first few years I got nothing, no anti inflammatory, no pain medication, nothing. Finally I was given Mobic/Meloxicam then told it was causing kidney failure! I lived in barbaric pain and could no longer work- could not find a doctor for steroids, pain or surgery- I don't know how I made it- I went from walking and being active to barely being able to use a walker and needing a wheelchair. I finally found a doctor who works with pain medication but still my mobility is limited and I need a more permanent answer as the acetaminophen component is risky. What type of a doctor does these surgeries?
Thanks for the information!
Are the majority of lumbar disc issues considered herniated discs? Or can you just have the annulus bulge out? Thank you very much for your super informative videos.
They can do either but they are effectively treated the same way
I have had back pain since I was 9 years of age I am now 36 and I have suffered so so much I first started with one disk herniated then now I have over 10 my leg and butt is also in pain as I get more and more disk messed up I don’t know what it feels like to no have any pain sometime I wish I would just end this life but my family keeps me going I have been through 3 specialist and they all just say I’m fine with meds only or the epidural and the truth is none have worked for me I also did the needles and chiropractors massage therapist and nothing worked wish I would meet this doctor he is super smart AMEN GOD is good
This is so informative. I am presently going through this and having an injection next week. I had no idea it could possibly heal on its own. I am more optimistic now about the injections and therapy and inflammation treatments to possibly heal this without surgery. Thank you for explaining so well. I do have 1 question. If surgery is necessary should I see a neurologist or can an orthopedic dr handle this?
You should see a spine surgeon. That is either an orthopedic or neurosurgical spine surgeon
You're talking about hours and days, but I've been dealing with severe sciatica pain for months, due to a severe L5/S1 disc herniation (it's bone on bone). I was injured at work last year and it took months for my worker's comp case to be approved and my pain kept getting worse in the meantime. I just began PT last week after more than 6 months of pain. I don't notice much weakness, but the pain in my butt, both legs and numbness in both big toes are at times quite severe. I also wet the bed once, which has never happened to me, and have noticed reduced sexual sensitivity. I just don't feel like my doctor is treating my situation with the urgency it requires. I understand that they prefer to go thru certain steps, but a lot of time has already passed in my case and I feel like I'm wasting time on treatment that isn't doing me any good, possibly allowing my nerve damage to become permanent.
Thank you for this excellent video.
Please address anterior disk herniations and treatments for it in a separate video.
Thanks,
Thank you Doc....