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We talk with Cassie about living through an L5-S1 herniated disc that made walking nearly impossible, then choosing a microdiscectomy with the Barricaid implant to get her life back. We get honest about sciatica, surgery-day surprises, nerve symptoms that linger, and the mental game of moving again without fear.
• how an old injury and years of flare-ups lead to a major herniation
• what sciatica feels like when leg pain becomes the main symptom
• trying physical therapy steroid injections and nerve ablation
• why her MRI results pushed a neurosurgery referral
• how the Barricaid implant works and when surgeons decide to use it
• pre-op anxiety anesthesia quirks and an unexpected vancomycin allergy
• waking up in intense pain then learning to stay ahead of meds
• early recovery basics walking each hour ice packs and helpful home gear
• dealing with ongoing foot and calf numbness plus toe weakness
• physical therapy focused on nerve recovery and rebuilding confidence
• returning to CrossFit safely PRs after surgery and fear around soreness
• advice on trusting your care team getting more opinions and not doom-scrolling outcomes
If you are a listener and you have a positive story of recovery from a herniated disc or other back injury, head over to bedbackbeyond.com and click share your story. I would love to include your voice on the show.

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Have a positive story of recovery to tell? Head over to https://bedbackbeyond.com/share-your-story/ to apply.