Just a thought about surgery. if L4- is slipped over L-5, that may constitute a need for surgery. I never think surgery is good, unless the pain has become so severe, that quality of life is compromised. I had the same thing happen, C5- was slipped over C-6. The ones above that reversed the curve. I did have surgery, and it did turn out OK. My pain specialist said there comes a come when shots, blocks and intervention conservatively doesn't work anymore, and that is the time to investigate a surgical approach. An elder friend of mine had back surgery, and she was in her 80's also. Her surgery did OK for her and greatly reduced her pain. I hope everything turns out OK. ginnie