I had a fusion at C-4 through C-6 because of DDD performed by a neurosurgeon. My ortho sent me to him, so I would say find a good neuro. Mine is wonderful. I also had a laminectomy of L3-L5. I still have sciatica because of nerve damage which we are investigating. He doesn't want to do a fusion there because he said it would basically mess up the rest of my back because the lumbar region is designed to be mobile. Make sure you find a neuro you can TALK to and who answers your question and is concerned about YOU as a total person. I went to one who looked at my MRI and said, flatly, "There's nothing I can do for you," and walked out. I chased him out of the room, in tears, asking if I had to endure the pain forever, and he said until I am 60 or 70 years old! I'm only 54--that's along time to be in agony! The fibro is bad enough, along with the sciatica, without all the numbness and pain from the DDD!!!

Good luck and God bless you! Let me know how it goes. Email me if you'd like.