degenerative disc

I have had surgery twice. Once for my L3 and then for L4 and L5. I am now again having lower back pain on my left side which radiates down my hip and to the hip flexor area. It then shoots down my left thigh (also burning on my inside thigh area) to just below my knee. It is sharp pain around the hip flexor area at times. My physician recently passed away and I have not seen my neurosurgeon yet. My neurosurgeon says I have degenerative disc disease (also had a third surgery on my neck C-?; don't remember). Of course surgery is only an option if you have symptoms of a certain Lumbar, Cervical region.