These kind of surgeries have so many different outcomes. Has your doctor ever mentioned Ketamine infusions?. Sometimes when the surgery fails, or you continue on with DDD, this is used. I have had several of them and they helped for a number of months. Hard to find facilities that use it, or pain specialists who are competent in it usage. Done under a scope, I can tell you it didn't hurt, and it helped for a period of about 4 months for me. My DDD continued after my first fusion, and I had to have more done 6 years later. These in spine infusions were done in between the two surgeries.
I have the same kind of issues you do with DDD. Right now I am seeing a physiatrist, who is doing acue puncture. She was trained at Harvard, and I have faith it will help. You might want to consider that as part of your therapy. I just had my first yesterday, so I don't know if it works yet. I plan on doing that at every visit from now on. I sure don't want any more surgery! I would have to go back to Tampa, for Ketamine. However, if I got really bad, I would ask to have that done again.
When was your last MRI? or CT scan? Has your doctor offered any kind of therapy to you? ginnie