Hi ~ The doctors should have told you that PAIN IS NEVER a reason to have surgery!!! Surgery ONLY corrects mechanical problems. It does NOT correct pain. If you should happen to get pain relief after surgery, it's just a fluke. Usually you end up with the same pain or worse after surgery. That's just the way it is. I'm sorry to have to tell you this.

The American Medical Society said last year that people that had fusions got the same results that people who had physical therapy did!!! In other words, there were thousands of NEEDLESS SURGERIES. This included the fusions & regular surgeries (spinal). That's kind of scary if you ask me.

Also, once you have fusion (or regular spinal surgery) the level above/below will FAIL because it has to take on more of the load. That means that you will probably need more surgery within about a year or two. It's called the "domino" effect and it happens all the time. Surgery just begets more surgery. The only time surgery should be seriously considered is when the spinal cord is being impinged or when you are in danger of permanent nerve damage. Usually the nerves can be "undone" by physical therapy, which should be the FIRST road taken. Physical therapy ALWAYS should be tried before surgery.

Stay conservative as much as you can. Surgery will just make you worse than you are now. God bless and take care. Hugs, Lee