SLIPPED DISC: WHAT NEXT?
From Diagnosis to Recovery
By Dr. G P V Subbaiah | Spine Surgeon
Diagnosed with a slipped disc? Worried about your MRI report? Wondering whether you need spine surgery?
You are not alone.
A diagnosis of slipped disc can bring frightening questions. Will the pain ever go away? Is the nerve permanently damaged? Can a slipped disc heal naturally? Will surgery be necessary? Can you return to work, exercise and normal life?
In SLIPPED DISC: WHAT NEXT?, experienced spine surgeon Dr. G P V Subbaiah answers these questions in clear, reassuring and easy-to-understand language.
Drawing on years of clinical experience and thousands of patient consultations, he explains what a slipped disc really means, why sciatica occurs, how to understand MRI findings, and how to make informed treatment decisions.
Inside this practical guide, you will discover:
Understanding your diagnosis: What disc bulges, protrusions, extrusions and nerve compression actually mean.
Making sense of your MRI: Why an alarming MRI report does not always mean a serious problem.
Recognising warning signs: When back pain or sciatica requires urgent medical attention.
Recovering without surgery: How appropriate medication, movement, physiotherapy and lifestyle changes can support recovery.
Knowing when surgery is necessary: Understanding the indications, benefits and limitations of disc surgery.
Returning to normal life: Practical guidance on rehabilitation, exercise, work and preventing recurrence.
Answers to common questions: Clear explanations addressing 25 common myths and 50 frequently asked questions about slipped discs.
The book also includes medical illustrations, practical recovery advice and a dedicated Recovery Toolkit to help readers understand their progress.
A Spine Surgeon's Message
"We treat the patient, not the MRI."
This simple principle forms the foundation of the book.
A slipped disc does not automatically mean surgery. Many patients recover with appropriate non-surgical treatment. When surgery is necessary, understanding the reasons can help patients make decisions with greater confidence.
Written for patients and their families, SLIPPED DISC: WHAT NEXT? replaces confusing medical terminology with practical knowledge.
Because the goal is not just to relieve pain. It is to regain confidence, restore movement and get your life back.