Have they tried other options? Like a steroid injection at that spine level.
I had a very similar situation and I finally had the surgery. It was the weakness that finally made me get the surgery. Your nerves are being pinched as they exit the spine due to the stenosis. Again, I am no expert, but I believe the weakness will get progressively worse and the longer you let it go, the less likely a full recovery will be possible.

I will say recovery has been more difficult than I had hoped and I do have some residual pain that is very troubling. However the leg weakness has resolved at least 85-90%. I am about 9 weeks post surgery by the way.

I had gotten to the point where I could barely walk across the street to get the mail. I am only 56 and was in pretty good shape and very active.

Anyway, my thought is that there are ways to deal with pain, but you can’t do anything about the weakness and it is likely progressive.

So ask your doctor if there is any chance that weakness is going to get better. My guess is he will say no.

As I said, I am 9 weeks post surgery, so all of this is fresh in my mind. Feel free to ask me any questions and I will do my best to answer.