Hi ~ I'm so sorry you've having so much trouble. Your doc SHOULD have told you that even with surgery, you're likely to have the same pain or worse afterwards. Surgery doesn't correct pain all the time -- it just corrects mechanical problems.

I've had a couple of open surgeries plus a spinal cord stimulator implanted and later removed. All the injections in the world didn't do any good. I've been dealing with this for over 25 years, and it gets mighty old! LOL

ICE helps me alot -- use it for 20 minutes every 2 hours. Don't use HEAT as heat will draw blood to the heated area and cause more swelling in there, plus more inflammation & pain. Ice reduces the swelling & inflammation, plus numbs the pain. When you first put the ice on, it hurts more for a minute, but after a bit it feels much better! My ice pack is my best friend! LOL

Some of us are going to have to be on pain medication for the rest of our lives -- I'm one of them. I HATE it, but there's no other way I can walk! (or limp)

If you aren't already going to one, ask your doc for a referral to a pain management specialist -- they can give you more options for pain relief. I wish you the very best --- I hope your pain eases soon. God bless & take care. Hugs, Lee