@ou14mejc
Everybody's situation is different, so you just have to do as much research as you can.
At 87 a fusion is a tough recovery. My wife has had 6.

MILD a good choice for the right kind of problem, I think there are so many failures because it is hard to know where the pain is being generated from.

Imaging can only tell so much. My central canal was very narrowed and that was sucessfully opened up but. My nerves were also pinched at the foraman on both sides. Even though they look about the same the right is much more affected.

The surgeon told me straight up that I probably wouldn't get total relief as I have scoliosis from the discs deteriorating. I had hoped for more relief but happy I got some.

For me I had the surgery as a chance at relief with a low risk surgery, recovery was pretty quick and much better option than going straight to a fusion which have way more complications and failures.

Now my option is a fusion or a fusion. I am just finding ways to live with the pain until I can't.