Back pain and limp - Is this a neurological problem or one related to a spinal hemangioma?

I am trying to determine if the painful and disturbing back pain symptoms I am experiencing, as outlined below, is a neurological problem and if so, if it relates to the following:
1.  my recently diagnosed spinal hemangiomas which I have been told do not require any treatment
2.  disc problem
3.  an “on again, off again” patch of herpes on my right hip which seems to be in the nerve path of some of the pain I’m experiencing.
4.  Weight gain.

Do I need neurological tests?  Is this strictly orthopaedic?  Who should I see?

Question about TREATMENT:  Can this back pain “go away” with exercise and/or physical therapy. What exercises at the gym should I avoid?  Sometimes I feel that I need to "stretch out" my back -- Is this a good idea?

HISTORY:  
I’m a 59 year old woman in good health and shape, who is active, never smoked, and an occasional social drinker. I am however, approximately 30-35 pounds overweight due to weight gain over the past 2 years due to business travel and entertaining.  Additionally, I have just discovered that I have lost approximately 1” in height.

MY SYMPTOMS: (3-28-11]
This pain started about 6 months ago.
I am experiencing acute pain in my lower back — slightly to the right side. The pain, although constant, increases and decreases in severity from 4 to 8 (on a scale from 1-10 with 10 being extremely severe.)  It wakes me from my sleep.

Additionally, my gate, pertaining to my right leg is slightly “off”. I limp on occasion. When I step down on my right foot, I feel some pain beginning on the front right part of the thigh muscle that radiates around to the right buttock area and settles in the lower back, again to the right.  Whenever I walk upstairs, putting pressure on my right foot, I immediately feel a slight sharp pain that radiates up my right buttock to the spot on my spine where I have the acute pain (lower back and slightly to the right as previously indicated). I’m also experiencing weakness in my right leg when walking upstairs and sometimes have to use the banister as an aid.
As for my hemangiomas, I have just been diagnosed as having them via an MRI with contrast. Below is the report:

PROCEDURE:
Coronal and sagittal precontrast T1 – weighted images, postgadolinium sagittal and axial T1 – weighted images, as well as sagittal and axial T2 – weighted images of the thoracic spine were performed on the GE Signa 1.5T Magnetic Resonance Imaging System. Postcontrast images were obtained following the administration of 20 ml of Magnevist gadolinium contrast agent.

FINDINGS:
“The normal thoracic kyphosis and alignment are maintained. Vertegral body heights are normal and there are no fractures. 14mm lucent lesion within the T11 vertebral body depicted on previous CT corresponds to a hemangioma on the current exam. There are additional smaller hemangiomas within the T4, T5 and T8 vertebral bodies. The thoracic cord and visualized portions of the conus are normal in caliber and signal intensity.
There are multiple small disc bulges and disc protrusions within the thoracic disc spaces. There is mid left foraminal stenosis at T6-T7 secondary to a left-sided disc protrusion.

IMPRESSION:
1. T11: Previously visualized lytic lesion on CT corresponds to a hemangioma. No myeloma or plasmacytoma lesion. No further follow-up indicated for this finding.
2. Thoracic disc spaces: Multiple small disc bulges and protrusions. Mild left T6-T7 foraminal stenosis.

END OF REPORT