Hi, Thanks for writing in. There is degeneration of lumbar spine disc between L 4 - L 5. There is resulting radial annular tear in the disc causing pressure on the nerve roots passing through these neural foramina and you might have severe nerve root compression at that level. The nerve pain may be controlled with restricted physical activity and pain relief medication. Please do not do heavy physical activity till you are comfortable. Surgery might have been indicated because the tear was large and pain is not responsive to medications taken for few months. You may try non surgical methods of treatment like physiotherapy, anti inflammatory and muscle relaxant ointments and medications to relieve neurogenic pains. There are advances in surgery and laser assisted surgery, steroid and ozone treatment are helping a lot of people these days.