Thank you for sharing your experience. I have had the epidurals, I've had the ablation, nerve blocks and nothing has worked. Each day I wake up and tell myself I don't know how much longer I can do this. I like your suggestion about the scar tissue as my pain doctor feels that the build up of scar tissue is what could be causing the nerve pain. I am willing to give the stimulator a chance however even if it works they expect only about 50% relief. I know this next statement will sound extreme but the pain is so bad that if I knew I could be pain free I would have my leg partially removed. Please don't think I am crazy, it's just having pain like this for going on 3 years this coming January I have literally not even a minute without pain. I can get in my recliner and reduce the pain but it is never gone. I really like my neurosurgeon as he came highly recommended. After 3 surgeries he said from my MRI that I shouldn't be in the pain I am having and we met with the pain Dr. He is the one that said I have degenerative arthritis. I am so happy that you are doing well and trust me, I am not giving up. I am only 69 years old and mentally young if the body would just feel the same. I live just outside Chicago in which I am lucky enough to have access to some of the best doctors. I think it is time for me to do start looking for alternatives rather than waiting and then possibly still end up being in pain. Actually I am past being in pain. I am in a wheelchair if not in bed. I am calling Rush Orthopedics tomorrow. Thanks again for insight. By the way, my name is Karen in Chicago.