Hi,

You really need to try a good manip physio/osteopath and Mckenzie treatment and maybe traction for atleast a few months. Obviously if your symptoms dont improve at all after that then look into surgery. I have seen alot of patients go fairly quickly under the knife having regretted it later. Dont want to scare you and would advise you going to a reputable sports clinic (eg.PURESPORTSMED) guys in london if you could get there...Not trying to give them a plug but they seem very professional- they arent cheap though...
You are very young and seem quite fit so obviously you want the BEST result and best function in the long term not just in the next few years...
would be interested how you actually injured your back- mechanism, what exactly were you doing?... Its also important when you get scans done, the physio/practitioner treats YOU and your symptoms not the scan. AS they say "treat the man not the scan". If you are going to go down the surgery path a good idea is to get a few different opinions from both orthopaedic surgeons and neuro surgeons...Not sure if the army/employer is pushing for you to have the surgery asap obviously costs them less the sooner you have it (not sure how they work so correct me if Im wrong?)... I would certainly go privately if I were in the UK myself buts thats my opinion..
Having had some experience with my training buddies getting sciatica/disc herniations it can take a long time (year) to get back to running/triathlons etc/heavy type stuff... so I wouldnt expect to be 100% within a few months....
Certainly if you are getting leg weakness also then the disc has obviously irritated/affected the nerve root and surrounding areas enough.
Definately try going back to your good osteopath or a manip physio and if youre not doing Transversus abdominus exercises yet-then you need to start now to help you stabilize and control your spine-
Sorry to sound abit stern but you want to get the best possible result for your back in the long run...Good luck and yes you need to do your physio exercises..
cheers janak