The week before Xmas 2017 I was in hospital with a blown disc L5 S1 (pretty big and pressing on my left sciatic nerve), I was unable to walk or even sit.
Lots of pain killers (think pink Elephants floating through the room) with the statement that surgery might be unavoidable.
I talked to quite a few doctors and surgeons and physios before even getting myself checked into hospital by my 'normal' doctor.
What was done was that the nerve roots were kind of 'fused' with anaestethics and cortisone.
1.5 years later I reallyneed to take care of my back. I lift quite regularly and do move a lot.
I was told in hospital that nowadays surgery is the very last resort since they still try to understand and figure out how the spinal system (nerves etc)is working and at times even "healing itself" (back into equilibrium, kind of).
And I got the book on spine health and 'self diagnosis and treatment' by Stu McGill which changed my daily routine and the way I lift.
Side note: After three weeks of only park (still my old Cove) and singletrack riding (still a 26 Stylus) in the Alps (plus a rubber band morning routine to keep everything resilient and smooth), I did some easy lifting yesterday and some road riding and enjoy today in bed...on a hot water bottle. Just sore lower back, not the spine/disc...thank God.
The gist of my words:
Surgery should be the very last resort....it takes away something that can never truly be replaced.
Collect as much info by various/different experts....esp sports physio/people.
Experiment and learn as much as possible about how the spine can be strengthened and protected. This might mean a change of eating habits/moving patterns ... perhaps right down to walking and shoes etc.
Good luck!
"You don't learn from experience. You learn from reflecting on the experience."
- Kristen Ulmer