Surgery for disc: A bulging disc is a common finding on MRI as we age. It is usually not the cause of back pain. Therefore operating on it is not beneficial. Surgery for disc herniation is usually reserved for cases were it is putting pressure on the nerve or where it is determined to be the source of back pain. Surgery will not improve your back pain if the supportive structures of your spine are not strengthened.
Answered 6/10/2014
5.7k views
Depends: Lots of people without pain have disc bulges, so it's not at all clear that surgery for a disc bulge would be helpful.
Answered 5/16/2016
5.7k views
7 doctors weighed in across 2 answers
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