I know what u mean about dreading another surgery.The whole thing is just such an ordeal, mentally and physically.
It's possible something could have happened, let's hope not. Probably need a new MRI.
Take Care
I had surgery on my back (L2-3, L4-5) about 15 months ago. The constant pain down both legs was immediately gone. Post surgery has been hit and miss as I was unable to do as much PT as I needed (hubby was involved in a bad motorcycle accident 5 weeks post surgery and I had to take care of him for 3 month) I am now experiencing sharp paina upon sitting(!) and a numbness and/or sharp pain on the inside of my right leg (following the ham string as best I can tell) Upon reading my MRI results of 18 months ago, it does mention moderate to severe disc protrusion in the L5-S-1 region. I cannot bear the thought of more surgery, but could this situation have just become worse over such a short period of time?? I actually tripped up a flight of stairs yesterday--just didn't feel the stair beneath my foot. Time to see the neurosurgeon again??
It's saying that u have a disc protrusion that's effecting your L5 nerve root.
Do you have sciatica, pain down the leg?
Do a web search on L5 radiculopathy