It is so interesting to see how different doctors approach things. Thus, the need to shop around and get different opinions. I have found the "old school" doctors stick with fusions. If you find someone from 5-15 years out of medical school, they seem to be trained in the newer, less invasive procedures.

As for me, I have been told by one doc that she would do a posterior foraminotomy and the second NS said he would do a fusion, as the posterior foraminotomy would not relieve my neck pain.

So, Monday I am going to a third NS for a tie-breaker opinion. This doc does perform the artificial disc replacement and I may be a candidate for it. So I'll keep you posted after my appt on Monday.

Seems like there is a lot of new stuff on the horizon for spine surgery. Exciting stuff and much less invasive. Also the artificial disc at this time is only for one level surgery I believe.