Candee -
Sorry to hear about your back pain. You've found a great forum though.
So adding my experiences (and two cents!), the fact that you have back pain and not leg pain is a good thing. Almost all my research, and the doctors I talked to from spine surgeons to pain docs, all said that ADR has a better outcome on back pain than leg pain. I am not sure why, but I can only guess that there are so many other back issues that can cause leg pain; stenosis, spondylosis, SI joint pain, etc ... But if all the other levels of your lumbar back show no problems, you know the level is L4-L5, you meet all or most all the other conditions that most docs look for in ADR, your in good shape going in.
As for the pain when getting up from a seated/crouched position, I have had that too. I think it is (in my opinion) that it is the difference in disc pressure that the body tries to adjust too that affects the disc pain. Just like when your in a pool, the weightlessness feels good for most back problems because the disc has less pressure. But then when you get out of the pool and start walking, it all comes back.
The leg weakness is usually a sign to get it fixed NOW, same with loss of bladder or bowel function.
My pain is also contained to my back (L5-S1) and hips, and I have had those phantom leg pains on a rare occasion. I have had times where I bumped into something in a store and when my hip in my right leg gets hit, I almost lose my ability to step on my right leg. But I know it is referred pain from my back.
The key is your diagnostic tests (MRI, CT, etc..). If it shows no other major signs or other disc problems, no spinal canal impingement, and a provocative discogram confirms your level, then I would think it is L4-L5.
As for insurance, I wish you the best. While some gets covered, sadly most do not. In years I think that will change, but for now it sucks. A single level ADR can average $30-$40 thousand dollars. That includes the surgery, doctors (spine, general, anesthesiologist), hospital, etc .... The other choice is if you can find a clinical trial. They generally pay for a good part of it, and you may end up paying only a fraction of the total costs. I don't know how far you are willing to travel, but Axiomed is doing a clinical trial for lumbar pain. You get either a ProDisc-L or Axiomed's Freedom Disc. There is not a study trial in Tennessee, but there are in NC and Georgia (their your closest). The link to find more about the study, locations, etc ... is:
Welcome to AxioMed Spine Corporation
I have lived with back pain for 13 years, tried almost everything, and just got the OK for ADR from the clinical study end. They will pay for most of it, but as in most studies, they submit to your insurance and whatever is denied they cover. But, that is for the hospital, docs, etc... If you need PT, or have additional issues not their disc related, you pay. I too have done tons of research, asked many good questions, and am aware going in. Continue to be a good patient and be as knowledgeable going in. Ask a lot of questions, and maybe even check out the DVD Harrison made about ADR. I think it is in the front page of this forum. I got it and it is well worth it.
My Best
Ken