“My Leg Became So Weak, I Couldn’t Even Step on the Brake.”
When Back Pain Becomes Leg Weakness: The Real Story of a Site Engineer Treated for a Herniated Disc with Endoscopic Spine Surgery
For many people, back pain may seem like a common problem, especially among working adults who travel frequently, sit for long periods, lift heavy items, or use their bodies repeatedly every day. However, sometimes pain that seems mild at first may be a warning sign of a disc condition that is progressing without us realizing it.
This was the story of Mr. Obkit, a 33-year-old construction site engineer. His symptoms began as recurring lower back pain that came and went. But one day, the pain became so severe that it radiated down his leg, caused leg weakness, and made him unable to control his foot properly when pressing the brake or accelerator.
Work Habits That Gradually Increased the Risk Without Him Realizing It
Mr. Obkit shared that he currently works as a construction site engineer. Most of his work involves walking around construction sites, traveling to project locations, and staying physically active throughout the day.
One habit that had become part of his routine was carrying a laptop bag weighing around 2–3 kilograms with him almost all the time. On some days, he had to carry it for several hours. If the site was a high-rise building without an operating elevator, he had to carry the bag while walking up the stairs himself.
These habits may seem normal for someone working on construction sites. However, when repeated over a long period, together with sitting for paperwork, frequent driving, and repeatedly using the back in the same postures, they may unknowingly increase pressure on the spine and intervertebral discs.
The First Warning Sign: Lower Back Pain
Mr. Obkit’s symptoms began with lower back pain. At first, he thought it was only ordinary muscle pain because the symptoms seemed to improve after he stood up, stretched, or twisted his body.
This pattern of recurring pain continued on and off for years. He tried taking care of himself by attending physical therapy sessions, which helped relieve the pain for about one to two months. However, after that, the symptoms returned and continued in the same cycle.
One reason Mr. Obkit did not initially think it was serious was because he was only 33 years old. He did not expect to have a spinal or disc-related condition. He thought the pain was probably caused by carrying heavy items, driving frequently, or using his body too much for work.
The Turning Point: Radiating Leg Pain So Severe He Could No Longer Control His Body
The incident that made Mr. Obkit decide to seek a proper medical examination happened on a day when he was about to drive home after taking his girlfriend to the hospital. His back pain suddenly became much worse. The pain radiated down his leg, and his leg suddenly became weak. He could no longer press the brake or accelerator normally.
When he realized the symptoms were unsafe and that he could no longer control his leg as usual, Mr. Obkit discussed it with his girlfriend and decided to go to the hospital immediately.
He shared that he chose to seek treatment at S Spine & Joint Hospital because several senior colleagues had recommended it after undergoing surgery there themselves. They were impressed by the hospital’s advanced treatment technology and the good outcomes after treatment.
MRI Revealed a Herniated Disc That Required Surgical Treatment
After arriving at the hospital, Dr. Thanawat performed an initial physical examination and immediately recommended an MRI scan to identify the true cause of the radiating back pain and leg weakness.
The MRI results showed that Mr. Obkit had a herniated disc. The disc had protruded significantly and was compressing the nerve. Because the condition could not be fully treated with physical therapy alone, surgical treatment was necessary.
At first, Mr. Obkit admitted that he felt very afraid because he had never undergone surgery before. Even having his wisdom tooth removed had been painful for him, so he was worried that back surgery would be extremely painful and was unsure how he would live after the operation.
What helped him feel more confident was the doctor’s clear and step-by-step explanation of the treatment process, along with the nursing team who closely cared for him, provided information, and gave encouragement. Gradually, his anxiety began to ease.
Recovery After Surgery Was Faster Than Expected
What impressed Mr. Obkit the most was how quickly he recovered after treatment. This aligned with the concept of minimally invasive surgery, which involves smaller wounds and faster recovery. In some cases, patients may be able to return home within one day, depending on the doctor’s assessment.
After undergoing surgery in the evening, Mr. Obkit was able to get up, walk to the bathroom, and sit down to eat by himself on the same day.
The radiating leg pain and numbness that had disrupted his daily life clearly improved. One major difference he noticed was that he could now sit and eat without the numbness in his thigh that he used to experience. This allowed him to live more comfortably and feel more confident about returning to work.
