I prolapsed a disc, tore ligaments and muscle off the pelvis, etc quite a few years ago.
I was suffering from bad sciatica all the time, my muscles kept going into spasm, I couldn't walk or work, let alone lift (which is a bugger when you are self employed) and most everyone kept telling me my back was stuffed forever.
Over a period of 18 months I spent a fortune ( no private healthcare at the time) between chiro's, some real 'out there' alternative practitioners, a brilliant sports physio and acupuncture, and with a lot of exercise and therapy eventually became pain free.
I can now work physically as hard as I ever did, whether loading the ute with hay, digging a trench, whatever.
I still work at keeping my back strong, including regular yoga sessions.

Maybe I was just lucky, but me being me, I wouldn't even countenance surgery, (nor pain killers, which was dumb in hindsight) but have met a couple of people that suffered from chronic pain thanks to prolapsed discs, had laminectomies and it has transformed their lives.

You just have to find someone that can advise you you can trust, whether it's an orthopaedic expert or someone alternative, and sometimes you just have to combine modalities to get the best outcome.