wow. my suggestion to you is this. consider everything before making a decision , research it and remember RSD is always a bigger thing to consider as surgery can make it spread . also remember that any procedure has risks , and spinal procedures have more. so far they have tried steroid injections, another injection to separated my discs coupled with one to fill the void to try and keep discs apart. they were going to use as iv tube to send in a tool to scrape and rebuild the discs, so on and so fourth. when you go to your spine dr. he/ she should have a number of pamphlets in the room or in the waiting room. as questions about them, speak your concerns and make sure you understand their answers because this needs an informed consent. then hit the computer type in procedures into your tool bar and plug away. so much info out there on these procedures right down to patients responses. good luck. and be well