From reading TOS forums since 04, I've come to the conclusion that the surgery decision has to be what fits best for that one person.

Everyone has their own personal level of what they want to try, or if they don't want to wait the longer time for therapy & self care to work or not.

And there are the Pubmed articles/studies that state surgery does help for approximately 80% or so, and improves for 45%, no change for some and worsens for a small %. ( % are my best recollection - the articles are in the useful sticky thread somewhere)..


I will nearly always suggest trying expert PT and therapies first, unless someone has specific symptoms that need action right away.