thank you mrsalkire,
It helps to know what to expect, even if pain is the expectation.The docs say there is "a little" more pain with the posterior approach--- only other patients who have gone thru the same experience will tell it like it is.

I hope your pain is gone soon and you get experience more improvement. You wroted,
" I did it because I didnt really see any choice I couldnt stay the way I was." Exactly how I feel.