About yrs ago I broke my L5, some sort of freak basketball accident. That was an interesting recovery but it all worked out ok... No more contact sports the docs said, but I'm still playing basketball at 40.....
The only thing I can remember from the ortho doc, was he said, when you think you are 100% you're not. wait another month. To this day I can't lift real heavy things and twist under load but heck that's ok.
I'm sure in time, Mr. JD will be all healed up. If you need something heavy moved (without twisting) let me know as I'm just down the road.
There has to be something from an informercial that can patch ya up!!
Later,
m8man