[pavulon]

There are no guarantees in life or back surgery. Avoid anyone offering one. Avoiding back surgery is always plan A but if plan A isn't working despite your best efforts, then it may be your best plan B.

Spine surgery can help or hurt but if you go down that path, find a skilled surgeon as best you are able (talk candidly to non-biased physical therapists about surgeons' results...) and know that each patient's result can be markedly different. Good luck!