I would definitely seek a second opinion that is not at the Mayo Clinic before I decided to do surgery. In my opinion, once you do surgery at the Mayo Clinic, it is hard to get other doctors to even consider you as a patient. In my experience, other doctors would not see me because the Mayo is so well known and my back surgery was preformed at the Mayo Clinic. After I was moved from Pediatrics to adult, I chose to see Dr. Fogelson, a neurosurgeon at Mayo Clinic. My surgery was preformed when I was still in Pediatrics -- Not by Dr. Fogelson. I love Dr. Fogelson. Dr. Fogelson is kind, caring, and honest. Keep in mind an Orthopedist focuses on bones. A neurosurgeon focuses on the spinal cord, spinal canal, and nerves. I would avoid surgery if I could. After my spinal surgery, I am in constant pain. I have coccyx pain, a purple and cold left foot, costochondritis, nerve like pain in my ischial tuberosities, ridicculopathy at L3 and constant back pain. Dr. Nassr comes highly recommended by other staff and doctors at Mayo. Dr. Fogelson comes highly recommended by patients. I would ask you to think about everything a surgery can effect. What are the pros and cons? A surgery is permanent. A spine is very delicate and is connected to many things. Each part of your body is connected and wired to other parts of your body. Have you tried less invasive methods like Physical Therapy or Massage? I will also say that the Mayo has often figured out things that Nowhere else can. @bernese53