Nancy
To r robbyns, have you been to pysical therapy,mainly traction. My friend had the same thing, and traction helped tremendously. It does take a long time, talking weeks here. Also, did you know that the sciatic nerve intertwines with the hamsting muscle, this may be you problem and surgery will not help. Do you have a disc that is bulging or herniated, that they want to do surgery on you? Have you had the normal x-rays or MRI or CT Scans?