I have been in chronic pain since 1999. Every day I would rather be sleeping. Had two failed back surgery’s. Had a spinal cord stimulator. That was a joke for me. Now have my fourth pain pump I am fighting with. I can only give you my own opinion. Do what ever it takes to stay away from back surgery. Nearly all of them fail. All of them. Not worth the risk. You can find someone to cut you. That’s easy. After they mess you up they will only want you to go away. The Mayo Clinic won’t accept you either. Do your exercises if you can and get a dog if you can handle one. I can’t. Good luck to you and God Bless.