Afraid of Spine Surgery, but need it.

Dear Ask The Doctor: Already diagnosed with a bulging disk. Two surgeries are suggested. I am to choose one. Removal and fusing of the disksis one possiblility. The other is to "router" out around the nerve bundle to aleviate pressure on the nerve bundle. Which surgery is the most dangerous, as far as possibilities of being paralyzed and also which would heal faster. I am only 53 and still need to work. Have never been under the Knife.

Dear Richard: Both the procedures suggested by your surgeon are well recognized treatment options for your condition. Each with unique advantages and disadvantages. Both procedures have the potential for spinal nerve injury and thus possible weakness or even paralysis. Disc fusion has a slightly greater risk of paralysis because it is the more extensive procedure. However, it also tends to have better results, in that there is less likelihood of a recurrence of symptoms. Disc fusion also has a longer recovery time.