I agree with kinactive; once healed and instructed on proper body mechanics you have a chance to continue working with decreased risk of reinjury; the main question is whether you can physically keep good body mechanics while working; HUGE kudos to Gembob for nixing lifting in his workplace - more the exception than the rule unfortunately; My recommendation for you is to learn how to minimize posterior disc pressure before attempting to return to work; go over with your physio body mechanics and practice job simulated activites done the correct way; get fit like you never have before and when you are alone and faced with a two person lifting situation...get the second person!!