I'm so sorry you're having such pain. I have the same problems in the same area, plus it has spread.

I must caution you about surgery. Do NOT expect pain relief from surgery. Surgery ONLY repairs mechanical problems. It is NOT intended for pain relief. If you happen to get pain relief from surgery, it's just a bonus. Doctors should NOT tell you that you WILL get pain relief because most of the time you will have the same pain or worse after surgery. There are times when the pain IS relieved, but that is not the rule.

I've had 2 open surgeries on L3-4 & L4-5 and each time the pain was worse. Those were 25 years ago, and the pain is still awful. I had a Spinal cord Stimulator implanted, but due to problems I had to have it removed -- that was unusual. Perhaps it would help YOU. Usually they are GREAT for pain relief, but only if you have neuropathy. Do you have pain in the legs/feet? The stimulator isn't great for just back pain -- but it's great for the legs/feet pain. Ask your doctor about it if you experience that.

As for the back surgery itself, I'd try every single thing out there that is conservative treatment before I'd go under the knife. And then I'd only have surgery if I was in danger of being paralyzed or permanent nerve damage. Recent studies have shown that people who have surgery get NO BETTER RESULTS than those who have had physical therapy!!!

Get several other opinions before having surgery from Neurosurgeons. I wish you the best of luck. God bless & take care. Hugs, Lee