fragmented disc

[tbird236]

I have a fragmented disc that has been inflamed due to heavy lifting. No pain in lower back, but quite severe pain along rear of right leg radiating into right foot. Doctor has me on naproxen 375 mg every twelve hours. Do you think this will help and do you think the frag will resorb? It has been 4 weeks and very little relief so far. I am trying to avoid surgery.    Do you think I should be exercising, such as walking, etc.?  Thank you. John .

[Dr_Nassim]

John, I think it is not too wise to leave a compression over your nerve for more then 2 months؛‎ I mean pain, bad life quality, high possibility of recurrence each year or 2, bad quality of life-continuation (no lifting for life, no jumping, no safety in minimal efforts!) more over the muscular damage could be chronic, and all this danger could be canceled with a total discectomy done via traditional safe surgery or through the relatively new mini incision surgery under microscope. No pain after that type of surgery. 1 week of home rest. Please do an MRI during this upcoming month to confirm the L5 nerve root compression and plan for a soon surgical libaeration

[tbird236]

Thank you, Dr. Chahine, for your quick response. I am scheduling a MRI, then I will have it evaluated by neurosurgen, Dr. Adnan Abla, at UPMC.  In the meantime should I avoid physical activity?   Do you think walking about one mile daily would worsen my problem?
Before this I was walking briskly for two miles daily.  Thank you,  tbird236.