Is surgery required to treat the numbness in my leg?

Q: I am a 21 years old girl having L4-L5 disc paracentral and left protrusion from the last 4 months, based on an MRI. I have severe left leg pain and numbness in the lateral side of my leg and foot. I have consulted 4 orthopaedic surgeons and 3 neurosurgeons. All are giving different opinions. I am confused. I have finished bed rest for 3 weeks and now doing exercises and swimming. I am taking Flunarizine 5 mg and Migrane prophylaxis as advised by the doctors. But the pain is same as before. Do you suggest microdiscectomy? And, what about the long term complications? It is a crucial time as I am studying in the final year and will be having exams in the next 5 months. Please advise.

A:At this stage, I would suggest minimally invasive surgery called MED (Microendoscopic discectomy). Persistent pain interfering with day today activities is the most common indication for surgery. The incision is less than 2 cm and procedure takes less than an hour. The morbidity is minimal and you can get back to studies, etc. in 5-7 days.