@katie215 I'd like to ask @john Bishop to email you he is very knowledgeable about Mayo. The things that I,ve found to help is Ice for the inflammation ,heat helps to heal and feels good ,a Tens Unit it relaxes your muscles Tai Chi by Don Fiore on u tube This has helped with the nerves as mine where burny nerves in thighs .I also go to my chiropractor he uses the Tens first with ice or heat I prefer the ice ,backs are difficult I have since 05 when I fractured my back been on Tramadol 50 mg. Only 1 or 2 now I wish you luck

@katie215 I know that Mayo would review your case without charge, and would tell you if they could help or not. Then you can ask questions about possible costs and decide if you want to go there. You will have charges when you become a patient. I've heard opinions from neurosurgeons at a conference and they did not think the Laser Spine Institute was a worthy opinion. You need another good opinion. Don't let only one opinion decide your future. I was turned down 5 times, and then I came to Mayo, and was so glad I did. It changed my life. Mayo is an excellent place. I had cervical spine surgery there and you can find my story now on the Sharing Mayo Clinic blog. You'll find a list of costs for spine surgeries on the Mayo website. Mayo is thorough about evaluating all the other health issues you may have and can be expensive, but it is expert care second to none. Why do you think removing bone spurs will leave you with not enough bone? Bone spurs are extra bone growing where it doesn't belong, and the surgeon used my bone spurs to seed the bone graft and I fused perfectly. this adds live bone cells to the mineral matrix which is what is left after donor bone is cleaned. I suggest do what you can to be a good surgical candidate with multivitamins, etc, and a good diet. You will need that if you pursue surgery.