In addition with my cardiac issues, I had extreme sciatica down my left side. I initially had my maximum set of epidurals that did not help mid- or long-term. I did have a laminectomy between L4/L5. The laminectomy did help. Recovery for that was quick and painless. Two years later, the sciatica came back with a vengeance, from the lumbar region, through the left piriformis muscle, and down the outside of the left leg to my foot and around to the inside of foot. Again, I had my epidurals that only slightly decreased the pain. Eventually, I had a L4/L5, L5/S1 lumbar fusion in 2019. With the exception of a current issue that I accidentally created; the fusion took care of the sciatica. I accidentally mistepped off of a ladder and twisted my back to the left. Sciatica came back and I had shots in the SI joint and around the piriformis muscle. With PT and the shots, my sciatica seems to be controlled.

I had a laminectomy/decompression procedure five years ago and it was completely successful. I am 85 now and am experiencing lower back pain,not associated with the sciatica, I am at a loss as to weather or not to try surgery or epidural injections.