Stress Fracture

I recently went to an ortopidic doctor and found out that i have a stress fracture in my L5 Virtabre.  I have been having some horrible pain in my back for sometime now, and always thought it was muscle related.  Now that i know what the real problem is I am looking for a treatment.  He told me my options: exerscise, chiropractor, and sergary.  I will try to do the exercise and the chiropractor, but prefer not to have the surgary.  He also told me that the fracture would probably never heal.  The pain i am feeling is very excruciating.  I can't put on my socks and shoes with out strong pain in my lower back.  Does anyone have any other recomendations for treatment or help with this problem.