I am very familiar with what your issues are. Radiculopathy is what it sounds. Not one surgeon indicated that it was until I had to file for disability. My endocrinologist I had at the time described it to me. He had also studied chiropractic. My pain goes down my left side and down the leg which trips the muscle into spasm. It is no fun. Had surgery in L4-L5. It didn’t work since it extends to S1-S2 and into the sacrum. Good luck to you and wish you the best in your quest. I had some great physical therapist who were forth coming with diagrams from there books to help me understand which nerve and where it traveled from each disc. No surgeon ever gave me a true diagnosis. The just asked where the pain was and not fully evaluate to see how many discs are involved. Be cautious of those over anxious docs who just jump into performing surgery.