Question
I had an MRI done in August and I was wondering what my options were in taking care of the pain I have been enduring for the last 2 years.

I have Low back pain radiating down my hip and leg. I have been experiencing alot of pain on my tail bone as well.

The MRI is as follows...at L5-S1, there is diffuse disc desiccation. There is moderate hypertrophic facet disease. There is no neural foraminal narrowing or spindal stenosis.

L4,5, there is no disc desiccation. There is moderate hypertrophic disease.

Impression: Central and right paracentral disc protrusion at L5-S1 minimally enchroaches upon the right S1 nerve root. The left lateral recess is not affected.

Alot of my pain is on my left side, minimal on the right side.

2nd MRI:
Radicular low back pain

Findings:
There is a scoliosis of the thoracolumbar transition which is mild-moderate. The lateral view demonstrates slight straightening of the usual lumbar lordosis without evidence of subluxation. Vertebral bodies are normal. Disc space are normal except for L5-S1, which is narrowed.
The right L5-S1 facet joint is narrowed and the left facet joint at this level is obscured.

Impression:
Reactive degenerative facet changes suggested at L5-S1 bilaterally. The narrowing of the disc space at this level may be acquired or could be developmental...

2.Thoracolumbar Scoliosis....

Can surgery fix this or is it a waste of time for surgery or would/could acupuncture be helpful. Im tired of taking meds, I feel like Im putting a band aid on this and the pain doesn't ever go away.

I am on my feet in a grocery store 48 hours a week...

I have seen seven doctors, chiropractors, massage therapists, had 3 epidurals (didn't touch the pain), and i have been to pain management as well and it didn't help.

I am taking vicodin for the pain...Any response would be helpful, I am at a loss here. I see an orthopedic surgeon on  August 12.

Thanks for you time.

Answer
Lisa,
At this point I would not recommend surgery of any kind.  The only reason I am saying that is because literally every single patient that I have seen after surgery are worse off in the long run, and then there is no turning back.  You are still in a position to get well, you just have not seen the right Doctor yet.
If you would send me your town and state, I will send you to a Doctor who can help you to get well.
Please give this a try as this is very conservative and is built upon getting the results that you are looking for, but it takes time undo all of the damage that you have accumulated.
If you are unsatisfied with this care (which I have a strong feeling that you won't be) then you could always get the surgery done at that point.
You can be well, so don't give up hope yet. Remember that nearly half of my patients have been to nearly all kinds of doctors over years of care, only to find us and get well within a year or two or sometimes only a few months.  I am not guaranteeing anything, but I am saying that the odds are still very much in your favor.

Yours in Best Health,
Dr Robert Arnone