question: Hi doctor, I am an 18-year-old girl and I have a slipped or bulged disk in my lower back. I have had this injury going on for four months. I have been through physical therapy and that did not work. My doctor was talking to me about surgery. So I researched and found a surgery where they go in and cut the disk off that is bulging out. It is an open discectomy I believe. I was wondering what the risks are. Could I possibly get paralyzed? Are there any cases of getting paralyzed? How long would I be off my feet?