Dr. Damien,
Forgot to mention a few particulars. Yes, there is considerable numbness in the right leg from the hip area down the right side to the knee where it crosses over to the inside of the leg and extends down to the ankle region. The pain I experience is moderate but persistent in the lower back and the area around the right knee. I also experience a "stinging" in both sides of the hip area which two professionals have said is related to the facets (sp)?

The weakness of the right leg is quite obvious while walking, climbing stairs, riding the stationary bike and doing various floor exercises. Within a month or two after the surgery, the right leg would not support my weight (195#) which resulted in two instances of falling while (1) walking backwards while moving a water hose and (2) while climbing the steps up to the deck. I'm beyond that now thanks to time and exercise but the weakness is still very prevalent. When I finish riding the stationary bike for 15 minutes, the right leg is extremely weak and climbing the stairs is much more difficult than usual. The numbers on the digital gauge of the stationary bike (e.g. RPM) all show approx a 10% - 15% difference between the two legs with the right being weaker.

I tried the exercise you mentioned. I tested the left leg first and it did fine. But I could only lift the lower end of my right leg off the floor, from the knee to the foot but couldn't lift the thigh.

I don't care how long the rehab will take, I just want to find the right ideas (exercises or whatever) as to how to proceed in a direction that will make some improvement in strength. I assume the exercises I'm doing are appropriate but if you could recommend a few it would be helpful. I've been riding the stationary bike for 15 minutes pedaling both forward and backward, doing squats, leg raises while sitting and standing and walking up down the steps forward and backward.

Jim