I HAVE A DISC PROTRUSION DISPLACING THE S1 NERVE ROOT, AN EMG SHOWING IRRITATION OF S1 AND L5 NERVE ROOTS WITH ONGOING DENNERVATION. I HAVE GONE FROM WORKING OUT 6 DAYS A WEEK, LIFTING WEIGHTS, RUNNING, CLIMBING STAIRS, TO HAVING TO USE A CANE WITHIN 2 MONTHS. MY LEFT FOOT DRAGS AFTER I HAVE BEEN ON MY FEET FOR AWHILE (IM A NURSE THAT JUST RECENTLY WENT TO “HALF DAYS” OF 8 HOURS ON THE FLOOR). AFTER BEING ON MY FEET FOR A FEW MINUTES, MY LEFT LEG GOES NUMBE AND COLD BELOW THE KNEE. I HAVE EXCRUCIATING BACK AND LEG PAIN WITH FREQUENT SPASMS. ITS A WORK INJURY AND THIS SEEMS TO BE TAKING FOREVER. I WILL SEE A SPINE SPECIALIST NEXT WEEK, BUT AN ER DOC REFERRED ME TO A NEUROSURGEON. BASED ON MY SYMPTOMS, WOULD IT BE BETTER TO START WITH A SPINE/PAIN MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST, OR GO RIGHT TO A NEUROSURGEON. I AM REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT PERMANENT NERVE DAMAGE.