Hi all, just a question for anyone out there who may know. I have two dessicated discs at L4/5 and L5/S1 and L5/S1 has a moderate sized protrusion. My specialist told me he would prefer me to try core strengthening exercises rather than surgery as surgery may only be 50% successful for me. I'm in a lot of pain and my quality of life is a tad crap cos it's painful to do the easiests of tasks. But 3 days ago I pulled my back leaning over and now the pain has worsened, I have developed complete numbness on the right buttock and down mid thigh(back) and excruciatng sciatica that can be worse than child birth at times. Will I get feeling back in those areas?Does anybody else suffer from this? Has anyone had a level 2 fusion? Help, somebody?