@sbtheplumber1 - Sorry for all your issues!

I've come to appreciate that spine neurosurgeons (is that the type doctor you refer to?) are nearly 100% focused just on the work they did and they are actually ill-equipped to discuss any residual pain or rehabilitation challenges you have. They aren't specifically trained for that and have little experience in the myriad of post-surgical spine issues that can develop. I know, sort of makes no sense.

I jokingly say (and I had a terrific neurosurgeon) that his main statement to whatever question I ask is: "The hardware looks good."

Can you get a referral to a physiatrist? That doctor is well schooled in pain causation rather than just the surgical fix you've already had.