Hi @asilyag , I'm very sorry to hear about your leg pain and really hope you are able to find relief soon and get your life back on track. Urgency like that is awful but it's totally understandable that you don't want to rush into surgery, and if you do get it, I really don't think this surgeon is the one for you. That must be scary to feel like maybe it'll be too late unless you act now, but I'm not sure I'd trust any doctor with my spine unless I first knew he really cared; I think that can sometimes be just as important as expertise. I don't know where you're at or if radiculopathy is one of his specialties or not, but I know that Dr. Jamal McClendon at Mayo AZ does spinal fusions (I had mine from him for my scoliosis and must admit I've got a slight case of hero worship). The thought of spinal fusion upset my stomach, but I agreed to have it because I felt like he was being honest with me, knew what he was doing, and would do the best job he could for me. It's been a couple years and so far I'm happy with the results. Good doctors are out there; I hope you find the right one for you soon and are able to get your pain solved once and for all.
Hugs & prayers