Thanks for your timely reply @upstatephil. My case / back discomfort and pain has been going on for quite a while, probably 15+ years ago. But the DDD was indicated from a lumbar MRI done in 2019. Neurosurgeon then suggested the typical non-invasive approach with PT and OTC pain med. I've been doing that since, and added pain management DR in 2021 for facet and epi both cervical and lumbar. The first ones helped some, but the more recent ones last year didn't do much. I tried MBB pre ablation, it didn't help enough to consider the ablation. Had more MRI done last fall, stenosis and some osteophytes are progressing, but the initial neurosurgeon is saying my symptoms are not warranting fusion. The second opinion neurosurgeon said fusion L4/5. So yes, I need a tie-breaker opinion.
I'm able to manage the discomfort and pain for now, the tingling / numbness varies as well as the localized pain at the lower lumbar. I don't have much choice with ease of appointments. I don't know that it is more or less difficult for people in other parts of the country for getting in to see your PCP or specialist, but it is typically a long wait time here, I guess unless it is a life threatening situation.
I was just wondering what your overall time frame has been. How long you have had back issues, to when you had DDD diagnosis to when you were able to decide on the surgery and surgeon team. And I think you answered that pretty much.