@marilynkilg, I would like to add my welcome to @IndianaScott's.

I moved your message from the Just Want to Talk group to the Bones, Joints & Muscles group and then combined it with an ongoing discussion called Surgical Solutions to Chronic Cervical/Back Pain. I did this so you could meet the many members already discussing back surgery and pain issues. If you replying by email, I suggest clicking on VIEW & REPLY so that you can see the conversation in its entirety. You may find it worth your time to read through the full discussion and meet the other members who have experienced what you are asking about.

@marilynkilg, are you facing a decision regarding a surgery on your L4 and L5? If you don't mind sharing, do you suffer from back pain?