My doctor advised surgery for radiating low back pain. Is that right?

Question

Hi doctor,

I feel pain in my lower back. The pain is radiating to my left foot and left big toe. I have attached the result of my magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The doctor told me that I need an operation and medicines will not help me. But, I do not believe that my case is so bad. Can you check my report? I am working as a software engineer.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com. I read your query and understand your concerns (attachment removed to protect patient identity). Considering the Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) report and radiation of back pain till the point of big toe, I am of the opinion that surgery is the best modality of treatment. Your doctor is right in saying that the medication has no role in the current situation. Considering your age, I do not think physiotherapy as an option, although it can be used in the later part of life while avoiding surgery. Having said this, if you doubt your doctor it will be better if you can post me the MRI itself rather than MRI report which is attached now. It is possible that the doctor may not have interpreted the report correctly, leading to exaggeration of the problem. The availability of MRI will help me to identify the lesion in a true manner.