disc ptotrusion at L4-L5 level

I am 41 years old and I had back pain over the years but nothing to seek medical care for. Last Friday out of nowhere I started having icreased pain in my back and it travelled to my right leg. Saturday morning while driving I had to pull over several times since the pain was so intense (after 3 advils and muscle relaxer that I took). Saturday was a very painful day, I even cried. On Sunday I had very little pain but I noticed that my right foot is weak. This freaked me out more than the pain itself. I went to see a neurologist on Monday and he did a lumbar MRI the same day since I had a partial foot drop. The MRI showed moderate disc protrusion at L4-L5. I was prescribed steroids and a course of physical therapy.
Today I feel almost no pain but my foot is still weak.

A couple of questions - why is the foot weakness still there even after the pain subsided almost completely
Can a moderate disc protrusion cause a foot weakness?
Is it reversible?

Any input is great appreciated.

[caregiver222]

Generally, foot drop is permanent, unfortunately. It happens after there is significant nerve impingement loong enough to cause death of the nerve. The disc protrustion doesn't cause the weakness. The nerve impingement does. You need to go to a specialist and make a decision as to whether you want a laminectomy. First I would try professional physical therapy. They are treating protrusion with injected ozone now, in at least one state, with good results. The treatment is used in Europe.