Lumbar Fusion

I had a couple lumbar fusions with instrumentation and it helps stabilize my back. Prior to surgery I had episodes all the time where I was in excrutiating pain along with the less severe but horrible constant pain. The surgery didn't eliminate the constant pain but it did eliminate the episodes I described.....prior to the lumbar procedure I had a similar surgery for the c-spine that was a God-send. All of which was undon by an uninsured kid that ran into me on my daily commute....long story. but as for your concerns......In my case the fusions were well worth it and my quality of life would have been much improved if not for the car accident. I think you should only consider it after eliminating all the less invasive possiblities first and it is not a wise choice to address anything less than debilitaing chronic pain.