I'm a fit 45 yr old male scheduled for a surgical Lumbar Facet Joint Rhizotomy in L4/L5 next month and not sure if I should cancel or go through with it.

I've had a microdiscectomy surgery in 2010 after a severe herniation. 20% to 30% of the disk was removed and I have been fine for 2 years until recently.

I had a facet block shots and felt relief from the joint pain, but it was temporary...only lasted a day or two and then the pain slowly began to ramp up over several days.

Due to the relief I experienced with the facet block shots...the surgeon said I would be a good candidate for the permanent Rhizotomy. Some people may have had the temporary Rhizotomy done with needles...the one he suggested for me is under the knife and will result in a permanent (not temporary) loss of the nerves in that joint.

The surgeon said that he's only had 2 people not experience relief from this procedure and he does about 4 to 5 of these a month for years.

I'm on the fence as to whether or not to cancel the procedure and live with the pain or go through with it and see if it helps at all.

Part of me is reluctant to do it just because I don't like the idea of losing the use of nerves and no one wants a surgery.

Every other day...I feel good and want to cancel and then the next day...not so good and want to try the surgery.

I need help from anyone who has had this procedure done...any comments of your experiences (good or bad) would be greatly welcomed and appreciated.

Thanks!