For years, I’ve suffered varying degrees of back pain. I did/do countless rounds of PT, which always help a bit. I had several injections back there and generally they help a lot.
About 10 years ago, after not being able to stand for long & walking was near impossible from my feet going DEAD after a few minutes. No relief from what used to work.
I knew I needed to try surgery, having put it off for nearly 20 years since it was first suggested.
I shopped surgeons, until an OR Nurse friend of mine advised me with her recommendation. The bone from lamectomy (?sp) was mixed with cadaver bone to create my L 3-4-5 fusion.
After healing & into PT, it was the best thing I ever did!
The back started to act up a few years ago, as my surgeon told me, from wear & tear above and below the fusion.
A bad injection at a pain clinic and COVID inactivity made pain & mobility difficult.
Today, with good injections and PT, I feel my strength and balance are improving.
Bottom line : surgery wasn’t the cure all for life, but it’s one of the best decisions I ever made.