Wanted to say hello and good morning. I just registered for this site after peeking around the past couple of days. I suffer from chronic low back pain and have multiple diagnoses From L2/3 down to L5/S1.

As far as chronic back pain goes, I am still just a newbie - I have only had my symptoms for the past 3 years. I am under the care of both an OSS and a PM at this time. My OSS has recently recommended a 3 level ALIF fusion which I am trying all I can to prevent (yeah running scared with good reason).

I have an appoint this afternoon with PM to do a 4 level bilateral rhizotomy with much anticipation and hope for some long lasting relief.

More details about me and my back:
I am 35 (I consider young), and have DDD From L2/3 through L5/S1. There is confirmed annular tears and herniation as well as bulging at multiple levels which is pushing on the thecal sac and imping nerves. I have pain medially throughout my low back which radiates into my rear and hips and down both legs.

I have been through every diagnostic you can imagine - MRI, Myelogram, CT, EMG, Discogram (OUCH!!), and exploratory injections Selective nerve root block, ESI, transforaminal steroid injections, facet injections. I have also tried PT, chiropractic, spinal decompression, and massage.

So today I am going for the rhizotomy. My next step should this not provide the relief I am looking for is to trial SCS. I want to rule out ALL possibilities before seriously considering the fusion.

Sorry for the LONG post.