But many patients are reluctant to have an operation. But many experts say micro-surgery can be a successful alternative. Sudden, crushing back pain is a classic sign of a disk problem. A disk is part of the vertebrae and it can rupture and push on extremely sensitive nerves. During surgery to repair the problem, Dr. David Barnett eliminates the pressure on the nerves that cause the back pain.
Many patients are reluctant to have surgery.
Swaney was one of them until he studied his own MRI scans. He decided to have micro-surgery to repair the ruptured or herniated disk. Two weeks after the surgery, Jeff remains a little stiff but the pain is virtually gone. Ruptured disks cause severe and chronic back pain that seems to only get worse with time. They may notice they have a hard time lifting their leg when they walk.