Sorry to hear that Mick. On a positive note they know what it is which is really really good
Knowing what the problem is will allow them to start treating it and get you back to some sort of a normal
Getting the weight down and back strengthening exercises sounds like a very good place to start
Best of luck with that Mick, If surgery is an option, go for it asap. Father in law left it a couple of years to deal with and was told there was too much damage at that stage. He’s still up and down ladders, just gets put out for a few days here and there. Did they give you any indication of what causes were.
My boss has this and if you’re going through what pain he went through then I can only sympathize. He too had gone too far before it was diagnosed for fusing of vertebrae but he has recently had a couple of operations to block nerves. It isn’t a cure but he doesn’t feel any pain anymore and I suppose that is the main thing. He plays golf now again so keep the chin up…and the gut in!