Question
I injured my back playing soccer fours months ago. For the first fours weeks I couldn't walk straight. Then I got a bit better until the Sciatic nerve from my right lower back and down through my right leg started hurting me. At the beginning it was very severe and then it got better/worse and so on. I tried a little bit of physio but it wasn't helpful. I don't think the physio that I tried was good at all. I bought some books about this topic and started trying few exercises but sometimes is better and sometimes not. It mainly hurt when I'm sitting and once I wake up in the morning.

I finally asked my Doctor for an MRI and the results are below.

Do I need a surgery or are there alternative treatment methods? What are the risks of surgery and recovery time?

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The coverage is sagittal was from T12 to S3

At L4-L5, the signal of the disc appears normal. Very mild broad-based posterior bulging of the disc. No focal protrusion, The foramina are patent.

At L5-S1 mild loss of hydration of the disc in keeping with early intradiscal degenerative changes. There is a relatively large right paracentral disc herniation. There is a severe mass effect on the right S1 nerve root, but it is completely displaced posteriorly. The size of the disc herniation is estimated at about 8 mm in AP diameter by about 9 mm in transverse. The foramina are patent.

The other disc levels seen are unremarkable. There is no bony abnormality. The conus medullaris is well positioned at T12-L1 and appears normal.

Impression: Right posterolateral disc herniation at L5-S1.


Answer
Your injury can be rehabilitated with the right approach.  Try to find a practitioner of the McKenzie method (and if you can find a chiropractor trained in it, all the better).  They have a system to analyze and treat disc injuries.  I would also find a good chiropractor, probably one that is sports oriented.  They should be able to treat any underlying musculoskeletal problems, and set you up on a good rehabilitative program.