I’m in a similar situation with spondylolisthesis/abnormal alignment and motion at L3-4 and L4-5. I have spinal stenosis at L3-4. I’ve tried PT, acupuncture, massage and taking ibuprofen, gabapentin and sometimes muscle relaxers (not all at the same time). These treatments do help, but I’m living with daily pain that can be very bad some days and other days it’s hardly noticeable. I consulted with a surgeon and they said I need spinal fusion at L3-4 and L4-5. I have a lot of fear as well. I’ve heard for some people it works and most of the pain is gone, with others it doesn’t help that much. I was having panic attacks almost every day after the surgical consultation. Every time I saw a note from a doctor I started having a panic attack. I am working on it by writing all my fears in a journal and praying for my higher power to show me the plan for me in this situation. I’m also getting 2nd and 3rd opinions of the best way to address my back issues. Also seeking a therapist. I think I have medical PTSD from having so many discectomies and lamanectomies in the past. I have a congenital lumber deformation that caused L4-5 to herniate 4x and have 4 surgeries spanning from the time I was 15 age 40. Now I’m 53 and need fusion. My 2nd opinion doctor said, “fusion addresses the radicular leg pain and for most 80-90% of that pain is eliminated. However, back pain responds variably to surgery and may or may not be improved.” Because I have Degenerative disc disease and arthritis he told me for patients in my situation, “ he typically sees 60-70% chance or at least 50% of improvement in back pain after surgery. To me this isn’t good enough to undergo this major surgery unless I absolutely have no choice. I’m looking into Tops spine surgery with a different surgical group. My other issue is I’m not certain I like the 1st doctor I consulted with. He gave me a really rosy outlook that seemed unrealistic. I got the 2nd opinion and asked some OT’s, PT’s and my massage people about what they see with patients that have fusions. They said it’s like a 50/50 chance it helps and a lot of people end up have more surgeries after a few years because of adjacent segment disease. The 2nd opinion doc. said 3% chance per year of having another surgery because adjacent segments start degenerating. 30% chance of surgery in 10 yrs. My 1st doc. who said I should have the fusion said, “you’ll be good for 20 years.” That’s why I hesitate to believe him. This is my experience dealing with my back issues. Of course it’s different for everyone