My heart goes out to your husband. I have been battling with the same problem since 2000. I had a herniated disc at L5 S1 with impingement of the S1 nerve root. I know how terrible the pain can be. I went through all the PT and I almost feel like that made it worse. Finally, when I couldn't take it any longer I had a lamenectomy, where they go in and remove the disc material that is compressing the nerve. I had two of these surgeries within 6 weeks because my surgeon went conservative, as I was only 23 years old. I had rehab PT for about 3 or 4 months afterward. I was fine after that, aside from the low-grade back ache that results from the post surgery asymetry of the muscles surrounding the spine. In fact, after this I was in the best shape of my life. Flash forward five years, I woke up one morning on a camping trip and had the sciatic pain again. At this point I started getting epidural steroid injections, physical therapy etc. They helped in the short term, but I would have a relapse every five months or so.

Then, this time last year I had a flare up in which I couldn't stand up or walk for three weeks. I had two MRIs and a myelogram at that time, but they didn't show impingement and therefore no surgeon would touch me. I had a discogram scheduled, but after three weeks I was able to stand and walk again and resume somewhat normal activities. From then until now I was taking antiinflamatories and Cymbalta for the pain every day.

Back to the present, I had a terrible flare up in early August (the day after my 31st birthday). I literally could not walk or get comfortable in any position. My foot started going numb. The MRI showed "a large mass affect on the s1 nerve root". I went to the surgeon and now I am recovering on my couch from my 3rd lamenectomy surgery, which I had on August 22nd. I've got most of the feeling back in my foot and my foot reflex has returned. The pain is pretty much gone, aside from a jolt here and there if I twist or bend the wrong way. This is normal and goes away once the wound heals a little more.

I'm not saying that physical therapy does not play a role, but in my situation it never helped and only prolonged the pain and the inevitable conclusion. This is a problem I will deal with on and off for the rest of my life. The next time the disc herniates I will have to have a fusion, or some other as of yet developed solution. There are a few neurosurgeons that are starting to use stem cells to help repair and regrow the disc after surgery in addition to removing the protruding disc.

I know you will make prudent decisions and try the least invasive options first, but don't fear surgery. I noticed in searching the internet that there is ample testimony of people saying to never have back surgery because the complications and so on. Well, I'm here to tell you that sometimes surgery is the best option, and in my case, it has restored me to regular life. I think once you have a disc problem, it will be a recurring issue, surgery or not.

I am an educated and reasonably intelligent person. If you have any questions about my experience please don't hesitate to ask. I've been through all the non-surgical options as well as surgery. I wish your husband the best.