Also if surgery does become unavoidable, there are many options. An old fashion lamenectomy, or lamenotomy, decompression by removing part of a disc, fusions etc. The worse I endured was my second double fusion L4-S1, they went through my stomach to get to the spine. Lamenectomies aren't as bad, but many times major tendons are removed which weakens your spine even more. Newer technologies minimally invasive type would be best. Over the past 22 years I've had five spine surgeries, they all suck. I'm just 45, and will most likely have to have more, educate yourself as much as possible. Spineuniverse.com is a great resource