I'm going to take you up on your offer to datamine--Here are things I don't understand about fusions:

1. How long does it take for fusion to be complete?

2. Do "bone-stimulators" only work early on, or do they stimulate bone growth after almost a year

3. How important is fusion? If you don't fuse, but have rods and screws, does it matter if you fuse or not?

4. What's the definition of "failed back"? Is it something only diagnosed after 2 years, or can a person be called a "failed back" at 10 months?

5. What happens to scar tissue that forms around nerves?


Dahlek--If you can figure out the answers to any of these questions, I'd be mighty grateful. Because I can't seem to get any straight answers--people disagree on the most basic aspects of this.