I noticed you are from central PA. Whereabouts?
That big bulge is L5-S1, not L4-L5. That also may not be the source of your symptoms. A good evaluation by a pain physician for example could provide you with answers to that and less risky options such as medications and epidurals.
I'm very surprised the surgical option was not presented to you.
The size of the lesion does not necessarily equate to a surgical consult. Epidurals as the OP mentioned are less invasive and less risky that surgery. Also the larger lesions have a higher chance of resorption than smaller lesions.
Talk with your doctor don't listen to the internetz!
