Back pain that radiates down the legs can affect more than just walking and movement. It can also interfere with sleep, work, social activities, and overall quality of life—especially when the pain becomes severe enough to raise concerns that, if left untreated, it could eventually affect the ability to walk or even lead to wheelchair dependence.

This was the experience of Mr. Chatree Kasikul, a hotel business owner from Koh Lanta District, Krabi Province, who had previously received treatment for a cervical disc condition causing nerve compression at S Hospital, specializing in spine and joint care, approximately two years earlier. 

Following his first treatment, his neck pain resolved and he was able to return to his normal life. When he later developed a new problem involving his lower back, he decided to return to the same hospital because he trusted its expertise in treating spinal conditions.

From a Positive First Experience to the Confidence to Return for Treatment 

Mr. Chatree recalled that around 2022, he traveled from Krabi to S Hospital for treatment of a cervical disc condition causing nerve compression. The outcome was highly satisfactory, and his neck pain resolved. The experience left him with lasting confidence in the hospital’s medical team, technology, and approach to treatment. 

When he later developed a new problem involving his back and lower back, he did not hesitate to return because he was confident that the hospital could appropriately address his spinal condition.

Back Pain Radiating Down Both Legs After Years of Physical Strain 

This time, the pain began in his back and lower back before radiating down both legs. Mr. Chatree believed that years of physically demanding activities earlier in life—including gardening, farming, and carrying heavy loads—may have contributed to the condition. 

Although back pain is common as people grow older, Mr. Chatree’s symptoms were more severe than ordinary aches and pains. He experienced a sharp, radiating pain that significantly interfered with his daily life. 

When spending time talking with friends, he could no longer sit comfortably for long periods because the sharp pain in his back made him want to end conversations quickly. He was also unable to drive for more than 100 kilometers at a time. When standing up, he could not immediately straighten his body and instead had to slowly adjust his posture before standing upright. Activities that had once been routine gradually became tasks that required greater effort and caution.

The Pain Disrupted His Sleep and Raised Fears About Losing His Ability to Walk 

At its worst, Mr. Chatree said the pain prevented him from sleeping soundly because the radiating discomfort continued throughout the night. Before bed, he tried to relieve the pain with topical medication and heat therapy. While the warmth occasionally provided temporary relief, it did not address the underlying problem. At times, the pain became so severe that he could barely get up. He began to feel that the condition was taking away his enjoyment of life, as the pain followed him whether he was sitting, sleeping, driving, or socializing. 

What concerned him most was the fear that, if the condition continued to worsen, it could eventually affect his ability to walk or require him to use a wheelchair. He therefore chose the tourism low season, when his hotel workload was lighter, to travel from Krabi to Bangkok and seek definitive treatment.

MRI Revealed a Herniated Disc Compressing the Nerves 

Upon arriving at the hospital, Mr. Chatree met with Dr. Chumphon, the same physician who had previously treated his cervical spine condition. An MRI revealed a herniated disc at the L3–L4 level causing nerve compression, which was identified as the cause of his back pain and the sharp, radiating pain extending through his hips and down both legs. 

Mr. Chatree said that even before making the journey, he had already made up his mind: “Once I get there, I want to get it treated right away.” He no longer wanted the pain to continue interfering with his life. After receiving a clear explanation from his doctor and feeling reassured by the hospital’s modern medical technology, as well as its new, clean, welcoming, and comfortable environment, he decided to proceed with surgery without hesitation.

After Surgery, the Radiating Pain in His Hips and Legs Was Completely Relieved 

After surgery, Mr. Chatree noticed a significant change: the sharp, radiating pain through his hips and legs that had caused him so much suffering was completely relieved. Although he still experienced minor discomfort around the surgical incision as part of the normal recovery process, the radiating pain that had previously interfered with his daily life was gone. 

The most noticeable difference was that he could once again lie down comfortably in any sleeping position without pain. Before surgery, he had struggled to sleep because every position caused discomfort. For someone who had endured pain throughout both the day and night, being able to sleep without pain felt like regaining his quality of life.

Do Not Let Outdated Perceptions of Spine Surgery Hold You Back 

Mr. Chatree would like to encourage family members, friends, and others who may still be afraid of spine surgery not to base their decisions on outdated perceptions. In his experience, modern endoscopic spine surgery was far less intimidating and invasive than he had imagined. 

He hopes to challenge the long-standing belief that spine surgery inevitably leads to an inability to walk or paralysis. From his own experience, advances in medical technology can enable less invasive procedures with smaller incisions and faster recovery. 

For him, good health is an investment in a better quality of life for the future.