Thanks for the update Kimmy and I am so sorry about your pain...pain is very difficult to endure and manage...

Depending on your age and you seem young,,,what is described here is disease. I would have to see the images but from the description some degeneration has occured and in areas very important for fluid mobility.

Again, depending on age, it can be mitigated through excercise, rest good diet and some pain management.

However a degenerative disease is just that...the causes are many and often chronic...Surgery,,disc replacement or support can offer long term relief and a return to normal mobility without pain.

Two opinions from two highly qualified surgeons would be a practical move at this point with strenghtening of the surrounding muscle tissue while you weigh your options...

Keep in mind that recovery from surgery is age sensitive though not dependent...

With care,

Lenny