I have spondylolisthesis, DDD, and arthritis and affects L4, 5, and S1. This year I have had 2 injections, one on each side, then nerve block, one on each side, ablation also on both sides. I didn't find the pain of ablation to be any more than the injections. I opted for mild anesthesia instead of just numbing the area. Of course all of this doesn't fix the problem only helps with pain and will only last so long. I'm trying to avoid am fusion, and hoping technology will catch up with a better solution.
Has anyone had TOPS (Total Posterior Arthroplasty System) procedure? Did you have positive results and was it covered by Medicare....and is it minimally invasive as they say it is?
This procedure is done horizontal instead of vertical like a fusion, with a much less loss of range of motion, supposedly.