Leesa was right about one important thing. After my first fusion, I did indeed have trouble with the vertrebre above and below the fusion site. I was not informed of this additional trouble, it was known however at the time of my first fusion. I had no option in my case as I risked being paralized. Nerves were involved, due to deterieration. Do all you can to aviod the surgery if possible. I did finally get wonderful results, but it was very difficult to go through that second surgery. Please do all your homework and get that MRI to find out exactly what is going on. I wish you all the best. ginnie