Bulging discs are common and usually don’t cause back pain. Sciatica is nerve pain going from your buttocks down to your knee, ankle or foot caused by a disc pushing on a nerve root.
Surgery to stop bulging discs from pushing on a nerve root stops leg pain. Surgery on bulging discs rarely helps back pain.
MRIs done on a large number of people without back pain show that many people have bulging discs with no problem. Your family physician can offer initial back pain treatment and a referral to a surgeon if needed.
Walker Wynkoop, MD, lives in Los Banos and is a Board-Certified Orthopedic Surgeon with 30 years experience. He works at Surgical Affiliates of California. Please email questions to: Doc@Wynmd.com.
