Bulging disc to protruding disc

[aliyahya]

Hi
I slipped and jolted my back in the lower and middle of my back in February of last year. The next day I was in total agony with pain radiating down my legs, and pain located in both the lower and middle of my back. I went to hospital and had an MRI scan which showed a degenerated L4-L5 disc and bulging disc at L5-S1 with no neural compromise.
The pain continued and I was referred to an orthopaedic surgeon, with my appointment taking several months for me to be seen. In September I was sent for another MRI scan due to continued pain and weakness/numbness in both feet and toes. This MRI showed a bulging disc at L5-S1 and L3 to L4, and protruding disc at L4-L5 compromising both nerve exits.
Throughout the months between the MRI's I was immobile due to the crippling pain and my activity level was non existent. I therefore want to know whether the further damage is a normal process following injury, or whether there is something else that could be the problem?

Any help is truly appreciated.