mystic fairy, the reason that they will drag their feet is that fusion is something that they prefer to reserve for older patients. But in your case they need to take the "after all else fails" position. See if your neurosurgeon can get a consultation to support his position recommending surgery. As an ex-claims examiner, we always had concerns for what we commonly thought of as last ditch types of surgery on younger claimants. However, that has to be tempered by an understanding of the inability to move forward with one's life or career with an unsolved injury and the resultant pain.

I am sorry to see you taking so much pain medication. Fusions are supposed to help relieve some of that by immobilizing the structures around the nerves. I will be pulling for you.