hi im 50yrs old lady ht 5.6cm wt 72 kg abit overweight . i have severe back ache and pain in both hips and legs like sciatica .MRI done showing disc desiccation in t4-t5 and surgeon advised me surgery as acccording to him no use of physiotherapy or medicines but im afraid as most people after surgery have the same problem .help me what to do and is walking ok in disc problem .Thanks
Back pain with pain radiating to limbs the first line of treatment is medications and physiotherapy, but if the pain persists, and it is due to disc herniation which is not subsided with physiotherapy and medication then surgery(disc removal) is required. If the disc herniation is left untreated you might later develop neurological defects like numbness of limbs and weakness of muscles. If the pain is due to disc herniation then post surgery pain will subside but recurrence of back pain due to disc herniation at different level is always a possibility. Now answer to your question-1)considering your age if you have not started on physiotherapy then start physiotherapy and painkiller, if pain subsides then continue physiotherapy. If pain persists then it is advisable to undergo surgery.2) walking is ok if you have only disc herniation without spinal instability, but not prolonged walking nor prolonged standing.