CAN A LARGE DISC EXTRUSION HEAL WITHOUT SURGERY? - KEARNY MESA, CA
"My MRI Says I Have A Large Disc Extrusion. Do I Need Surgery?"
If you've recently had an MRI and were told you have:
✔ A Large Disc Extrusion
✔ A Severe Herniated Disc
✔ A Sequestered Disc
✔ A Large L4-L5 Disc Herniation
✔ A Large L5-S1 Disc Herniation
✔ A Disc Pressing On A Nerve
you may be wondering:
"Can This Heal Without Surgery?"
"Is My Disc Too Large To Heal?"
"Do Large Disc Extrusions Always Require Surgery?"
"Am I Running Out Of Options?"
If you're scared, you're not alone.
Every week, patients from Kearny Mesa, Serra Mesa, Clairemont, Mission Valley, Tierrasanta, Mira Mesa, Scripps Ranch and throughout San Diego County come to our office after being told:
"Your herniation is huge."
"You may need surgery."
"This is one of the biggest disc injuries I've seen."
"There isn't much else you can do."
The good news?
A Large Disc Extrusion Does NOT Automatically Mean Surgery Is Necessary.
Some patients ultimately require surgery.
Many do not.
The size of the disc injury is only one piece of the puzzle.
LOOKING FOR A DISC EXTRUSION SPECIALIST NEAR KEARNY MESA?
Many patients simply want an honest opinion before making another major decision.
Your No-Charge Consultation with Dr. Cassidy James Boelk, DC may include:
✔ Review Of Symptoms
✔ MRI Review (If Available)
✔ Discussion Of Previous Treatments
✔ Discussion Of Potential Treatment Options
✔ Determination Of Whether You May Be A Candidate
Please Note:
⚠️ Not Every Patient Qualifies
⚠️ Not Every Patient Can Avoid Surgery
⚠️ Not Every Patient Is A Candidate
⚠️ Dr. Boelk Will Always Be Honest About Whether He Believes He Can Help
Because Dr. Cassidy James Boelk, DC personally reviews imaging and determines candidacy, appointment availability is limited.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"I NEVER ENDED UP NEEDING THE SURGERY APPOINTMENT"
Amanda – San Diego, CA
"Last year, I spent three months constantly going back and forth between doctor's appointments and urgent care. The pain was unbearable—I was taking medication regularly just to get through the day. Getting out of bed was excruciating, and walking or standing felt like torture. Every step filled me with dread.
In December, my doctor finally ordered an MRI. That's when I learned I had an extruded disc pressing on my L5 nerve, which affects the leg and foot. My doctor scheduled two follow-up appointments: one for pain management (spinal injections), and another to evaluate me for surgery.
Then I discovered spinal decompression therapy. I was thrilled to find a non-invasive alternative.
I never ended up needing either of those appointments.
Now, I'm walking regularly, standing up straight—something I couldn't do before. When I first sought help, I was so hunched over that I had to use a cane just to move forward. Because of the pain, I hadn't exercised in months. But now, I'm doing a program called 75 Hard which requires not one but two 45-minute workouts per day, and I've even gotten back to lifting weights."
WHAT IS A DISC EXTRUSION?
Most MRI reports use terms such as:
✔ Disc Bulge
✔ Disc Protrusion
✔ Disc Herniation
✔ Disc Extrusion
✔ Sequestered Disc
Generally speaking:
Disc Bulge → Disc Protrusion → Disc Herniation → Disc Extrusion → Sequestered Disc
represents increasing severity.
A disc extrusion occurs when disc material extends further outside the normal boundaries of the disc.
When that material irritates nearby nerves, symptoms may include:
✔ Sciatica
✔ Burning Leg Pain
✔ Foot Numbness
✔ Tingling
✔ Weakness
✔ Difficulty Sitting
✔ Difficulty Driving
✔ Difficulty Sleeping
✔ Pain Walking
For many patients, hearing the words "large disc extrusion" creates immediate fear.
Unfortunately, many assume surgery is inevitable.
That is not always true.
DOES A LARGE DISC EXTRUSION AUTOMATICALLY REQUIRE SURGERY?
No.
One of the biggest misconceptions patients have is believing:
Bigger MRI = Automatic Surgery
In reality, things are far more complicated.
Over the past 22+ years, Dr. Boelk has evaluated:
✔ Very Large Disc Extrusions
✔ Severe Sciatica Cases
✔ Patients Told Surgery Was Their Only Option
✔ Patients With Alarming MRI Findings
Some required surgery.
Many did not.
Other factors matter as well:
✔ Progressive Weakness
✔ Neurological Findings
✔ Functional Limitations
✔ Symptom Severity
✔ Response To Conservative Care
✔ Loss Of Function
The MRI matters.
But the MRI alone rarely determines treatment recommendations.
WHAT SYMPTOMS MAY REQUIRE IMMEDIATE MEDICAL ATTENTION?
Certain symptoms may require urgent medical evaluation.
These may include:
⚠️ Loss Of Bowel Control
⚠️ Loss Of Bladder Control
⚠️ Foot Drop
⚠️ Progressive Muscle Weakness
⚠️ Saddle Numbness
⚠️ Severe Progressive Neurological Deficits
These symptoms should never be ignored.
WHY DO SOME LARGE DISC EXTRUSIONS IMPROVE?
One thing many patients in Kearny Mesa are surprised to learn is that spinal discs have very little blood supply.
Unlike muscles and many other tissues, discs do not receive abundant circulation.
This is one reason disc injuries often heal much more slowly than patients expect.
Many patients experience:
Relief.
Then A Flare-Up.
Relief Again.
Then Another Setback.
For months—or even years.
This often leaves patients wondering:
"Why Isn't My Disc Healing?"
"Why Does My Sciatica Keep Coming Back?"
"Will I Eventually Need Surgery?"
These are some of the most common questions we hear every week.
WHY NON-SURGICAL SPINAL DECOMPRESSION?
One goal of Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression is to create a pressure gradient within the disc.
This may help facilitate the movement of:
✔ Water
✔ Oxygen
✔ Nutrients
into damaged disc tissue.
Another goal is reducing pressure on irritated spinal nerves.
For the right patient, this may help improve the healing environment while reducing symptoms.
Not every patient qualifies.
That is why every patient is carefully evaluated before recommendations are made.
RELATED ARTICLES
If you found this article helpful, you may also want to read:
WHY PATIENTS FROM KEARNY MESA SEEK OUT DR. CASSIDY JAMES BOELK, DC
✔ Certified Spinal Decompression Doctor
✔ Certified Pain-Free Performance Specialist
✔ California X-Ray Radiology Licensed Doctor
✔ Founder, Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Training Academy
✔ Founding Member, American Spinal Decompression Society
✔ More Than 22 Years Clinical Experience
✔ More Than 100,000 Spinal Decompression Treatments Performed
✔ 7 DRX9000 Spinal Decompression Systems
✔ Largest Provider Of Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression In California
✔ Patients Travel From Across The United States And Internationally
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"AFTER ABOUT 12 TREATMENTS, MY SCIATICA WAS GONE"
Michael Langsdale – San Diego, CA
"After about 12 treatments, my sciatica was gone and I was nearly back to normal. Honestly, I wasn't sure I would ever heal.
What surprised me most was that after my very first treatment, I experienced significant relief and was able to sleep mostly pain-free for the first time in months.
The improvement has allowed me to get back to hiking, traveling, and enjoying life again."
NOT EVERY PATIENT IS A CANDIDATE
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Jeff J. – Tucson, AZ
"I met with the doctor and after an honest and forthright conversation, we both determined that surgery was my only option to correct my back issues."
Not every patient qualifies.
If Dr. Boelk believes surgery is necessary, he will tell you.
If he believes you are not a candidate, he will tell you.
And that's exactly how it should be.
LOOKING FOR A DISC EXTRUSION DOCTOR NEAR KEARNY MESA?
The Spinal Decompression & Chiropractic Center Of San Diego is conveniently located in the heart of Kearny Mesa at:
5095 Murphy Canyon Road, Suite 300
San Diego, CA 92123
📞 619-298-0800
Serving:
✔ Kearny Mesa
✔ Serra Mesa
✔ Clairemont
✔ Mira Mesa
✔ Mission Valley
✔ Tierrasanta
✔ Scripps Ranch
✔ Poway
✔ Rancho Bernardo
If you're dealing with a large disc extrusion, sciatica, leg pain, numbness, tingling, or have been told surgery may be necessary, schedule a No-Charge Consultation to determine whether you may be a candidate for care.
Not every patient qualifies. If Dr. Boelk does not believe he can help, he will tell you.