In '93 I had a herniated L5 and suffered permanent nerve damage. Now, when they check my reflexes in my right heel, nada. My right calf muscle atrophied to a noticeable point and I had very little strength in it. I resisted surgery and elected to go with epidural injections, which seemingly got me over the hump. With exception of the nerve damage, everything returned to normal. I would give the epidurals a shot before surgery.

I have had a few lesser incidences since then and for me, the best thing I found was physical therapy. It not only helps the immediate issues but teaches you how to manage it in the event it happens again. The epidural treatments are not a cure-all and the PT is only a management tool, but they have kept me off the operating table up to now.