I fell and injured my back and neck. I had to do the cervical fusion very quickly because of the pain and numbness. The surgery went very well with good results. I spent the next 7 years doing PT, facet injections, massage therapy, etc. After 7 years I was having more trouble and living like someone 30 years older. That's when I decided to have the Lumbar fusion done. I did not want to have another surgery but I was not able to live an active happy life.

It is scary and dangerous. You must weigh quality of life against risk for your unique situation. If you have not tried facet or other types of steroid injections around the problem area it is a great middle ground. The injections settle down the pain and inflammation for 6-18 months. My doctor has a bad neck himself and has chosen to maintain with injections rather than surgery. The advantage of getting injections is that a good doc can pinpoint precisely where you pain is coming from. If the shots work then you know you've hit the spot.

The exact cause for pain may not show up on imaging studies. I was able to lead a much less painful and active life after the surgeries. I would do it again. Remember that technology gets better every year. The longer you can wait the more options you may have.