Bulged lower back disc L4-L5, L5-S1 - Treatment options?
Fluctuating lower back pain in that region (localized to my right side only) including radiating pain into my right leg (hamstrings, IT band, calve, and glutes).
I can go 7-10 days without pain, then it flares up for 1-3 days at a time, usually making sitting and lying very uncomfortable.
I've been doing some chiropractic treatments, mostly light adjustments and lots of traction / posture work, which does seem to help. But I'm at a point where the pain is becoming too strong to keep doing remedial work like that - I'm thinking I need surgery of some kind.
Before I go see a doctor I'd like to do some research and know my shit...
... what options are out there, what's the healing prognosis/statistics for similar injuries, recovery times, etc?
I've heard of procedures like fusions, cortisone injections (too temporary), stem cell injections, other kinds of injections, minimally invasive fusions?
School me! Thanks all...