Clinical prolapsed disc L2

[Sparkey_22]

About a week ago I suffered a pop in my lower back and I don't remember how it happened but as the days wore on the pain worsened and by last Friday I could hardly walk more than a few steps before having to sit or bend over to 45 degrees to get relief.
I called a number of places to try and get help and ended up at our local sports Physio who slotted me in immediately.
I had a session of acupuncture and some mild manipulation of the lower back pelvic region followed by taping of the lower back for support and this was a great relief albeit temporarily.
2 days later the pain had actually shifted and increased to about 8/10 from the lower back region to the top of my leg and hip area.
The pain feels like a knife being thrust into the joint followed by a burning sensation down the leg to to back of the knee.
Today I presented to the local hospital emergency because the pain was excruciating and I could hardly walk.
After the examination by the doctor she advised I had the clinical prolapsed disc L2 and gave me some pain killers and a referral to the Physio who I can't get into for 3 weeks.
I guess my main question is - what damage am I doing to the nerve thats causing all the pain by continuing trying to walk and move around until I can get some intervention.
Cheers - Sparkey

[Squirrel]

I have a similar thing going on - only its L4/L5 disc prolapse on the sciatic nerve - but I've got some similar questions. Particularly - What damage am I doing/have I done/am I likely to have caused by continuing to walk and move for two years until I did the same as you and went to the emergency department, and had a CT & MRI scan, I'm worried I have made the whole thing incurable or permanently damaged.

I've been using a walking stick for the last 8 months because it got so bad...

Anyway, I just need to know what the treatment options are, and most of all - will it get better?

[Sparkey_22]

I finally found someone who understood what was wrong and was able to fix my problem after I had a CT scan ordered by my doctor who referred me to another different phsio who only made matters worse.
I couldn't get off the table after the treatment
I eventually presented back to emergency at the hospital and took my CT scan pics with me.
I asked to be referred to the hospital phsio department who put me on crutches but the guy there was fantastic.
He gave me a thorough examination and asked me to do a simple stretching exercise which cured the pain and I was able to stand upright within 3 days.
It took approx 3 months for the feeling to return to my leg which was numb all the way down to my knee.
All I can say is keep trying until you find the right person who will help you.
Cheers - Sparkey

[Squirrel]

Thanks Sparky, that's good to know. I haven't yet got to see a physio but will do so as soon as possible. At present I am in the hands of the GP and a neurosurgeon, but hoping to get the okay to go to a physio today.

Does anybody else have useful advice on physio and have a good news story about getting better? I could do with some more reassurance!

Oh - and does a TENS unit help or hinder the inflammation around a slipped disc?