It sounds like an L5 radiculopathy (most commonly due to a bulging disc at the L4-5 level.
Whether surgery improves nerve outcomes is debateable compared to conservative care.
I would recommend avoiding anything to provoke the disc at this stage (bending forward, lifting, straining). An epidural or transforaminal injection could be considered for pain relief.
As it dries out and shrinks the pressure on the nerve will hopefully be reversed and the nerve function will hopefully improve.
I'm not sure ADR surgeons would want to take on the case at this point due to the risk of worsening the nerve pain.
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Pain since 1990, severe since 2008
MRI 03/08 showed L5/S1 severe dessication, L4/5 moderate disc bulge with annular tear. Some facet arthritis at L5/S1 and L4/5.
50% pain relief with RF neurotomy for left L4/5 and L5/S1 facets 07/08
Pain worsened 12/08
Discogram 03/09 with no pain at L5/S1, concordant pain at L4/5, severe but not usual pain at L3/4
ADR with aMav discs L4/5 and L5/S1 02/10
Recurrent pain 05/10
Current plan to try pilates
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