Pain had a mind of its own and moved through my legs and lower extremities. I don't have a firm recollection of feet pain? I ended up undergoing a 4-level decompression and fusion L2-5 in May 2023.

Here was my thinking: I wanted to defer spinal surgery as long as possible. If lucky - for ever. But what I call "sudden onset leg numbness" was occurring multiple times a day and with no advanced notice. My decision became clearer. I could either continue to place myself in personal danger (legs go numb while at the top of the stairs) or I could subject myself to the risks and long recovery from back surgery.

In other words - doing nothing was no longer the best option.

I am 9+ months post lumbar work and I'm 85% of the way back to normal. Pain is gone. Sudden leg numbness is gone. Spine conditions such as stenosis, spondy, and bulging discs do not magically repair themselves...

Have you considered when/how you will decide what you will do?