Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice. Surgical procedures are usually only contemplated for issues of sciatica or canal stenosis after a good course of physical therapy or exercise therapy have been tried along with conservative medical treatments with medication. I would caution you against the surgical solutions since they can lead to more pain and more problems than what you currently have. Be very careful with those who say they can cure sciatica surgically. Once things are cut and sewn, they really can t be taken back, and the consequences of developing scarring in the area of the surgery itself may cause more pain and discomfort than what you already have. I had in patient in my practice who finally stopped getting a surgery for his sciatica after operation. Simply because his entire lumbar spine had essentially been fused and manipulated so that there was nothing left to cut and remove. His pain was decidedly more intense and difficult to control than it ever was in the beginning and he actually said that the 1st procedure was a mistake. I always tell my patients to think long and hard before wishing they could get a quick outpatient laser treatment for their backs and get out in 1 day (as many clinics will advertise). If you are able to ride the bus and do the long walk, then in my opinion, no matter how much the pain may be at this point, the surgery is not necessary at this time though it may seem appealing. But again, that s every patient s prerogative. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.