<s>[INST] Hi Dr, I had a MRI done last friday because of a severe pain in my lumbar and left leg, which I feel numb and tingling since last wednesday. The MRI showed a large left subarticular disc extrusion at L5/S1 impinging on the descending left S1 nerve root and also an incidental Tarlov cyst within the sacral canal at the S2 level. I am worried because I dont know if this is serious and I dont feel my leg improving since last week. I would like to know how long will take for my leg to be normal again and what is the treatment for this. Thank you, Julia. [/INST] Hi Ms Julia, Thank you for posting your query. Your symptoms and MRI scan are suggestive of severe compression of the sacral nerve S1 due to a large disc prolapse. Initial treatment is bed rest, use of medications such as pregabalin, and physiotherapy. More than 50% patients may improve with these treatments. Those who do not improve with the above, surgery may be required in them. A consultation with a neurosurgeon would be helpful. Recovery may occur in 4-6 weeks. Wishing you speedy recovery, Dr Sudhir Kumar Md DM (Neurology) Senior Consultant Neurologist </s>