My back pain started two years ago after slipping on ice and badly bruising my lower spine area. My initial thought was it would heal itself and after a couple of weeks I would be ok.

The pain continued for the next two months so I visited the GP and was referred for physiotherapy. Thankfully I have medical insurance through work so I was seen within a week.

The physio worked tight muscles in my lower back area and as they loosened up the pain did settle for around a two week period. The pain returned and this is when the other symptoms started – pain down my left leg through my hamstring, calf area with tingling and numbness in my left foot. The pain in my lower back was concentrated in one area and at times would cause numbness. Sitting or standing for long periods became more and more uncomfortable and there were times at work when I would have to lie down on the floor under my desk just to relieve intensity of the pain. The pain wasn’t excruciating but day after day it would grind you down, I would go home from work exhausted.

I continued seeing the physiotherapist and he applied acupuncture, which again helped with pain relief. After a period of treatment I became very aware it wasn’t providing a cure and something else would have to be done. The physio suggested a referral to Mr Krishna.

I had an initial appointment with Mr. Krishna where x-rays and an MRI scan was carried out. At the follow up appointment Mr Krishna showed me the MRI results which identified a degenerative desk at L5/S1. He explained the disk had flattened at one end causing two vertebrae to move closer together which in turn meant the facet joints rubbing together causing the pain in my back. The sensation in my left leg and foot being due to pinched nerves, again as a result of the damaged disk.

Mr Krishna explained the options; facet joint injections to relieve the pain or surgery. I didn’t like the sound of either and I left the consultation room feeling a little shocked! What if goes wrong and I end up paralyzed, what if it’s worse after the op than now, what if this, what if that???

I had a good chat with my family and decided to have the injections. Firstly, I thought this was the least risky option and secondly it might keep me going for our holiday in three months time. The injection worked well for about four weeks and then gradually the beneficial effect wore off.

I think I knew all along that surgery was the only way to cure this, but that was a big decision, there are a lot of risks and to be frank the thought of it scared the pants of me!

I attended a support group coffee morning at York. Talking to people that had been through the operation really helped  ease my anxieties. Pre surgery they had the same fears and went through the same emotions I was experiencing.

After a lot of deliberation and discussion with my family, friends and Mr Krishna, I decided to go for the operation, an L5/S1 PLIF.

But then I started to compare my situation with that of others who had suffered much more and longer than I have. I began thinking “do I deserve this, there are other people who are suffering a lot more than me; they should have the operation not me”. Then I would have a good day and try to talk myself out of the operation. Then there were bad days, if the option was available, I would have walked straight into theatre there and then. I went through this process almost every day until the day of the operation.

I am now eight weeks post op and feeling very well. I had heard people say they felt better as soon as they came round from the anaesthetic. So did I; the back pain had gone.

I can now sit or stand without constant pain, my leg and foot is better. I am building up my walking distance, currently around seven miles, working the physio exercises daily and generally feeling better as each week goes by.

On reflection there are a few reasons I think I was so hard on myself pre op. The main ones being fear of the operation and feeling guilty I hadn’t suffered as much as other people. We shouldn’t compare ourselves to others, but then that is just human nature.

Am I glad I had the operation? – Yes, absolutely. I am very grateful my circumstances gave me the option of surgery. My quality of life( after surgery) has improved no end and I think that is what it’s all about, quality of life”.