Originally Posted by lorraineinpain

Hi all

I'm new to this site and had a read through last night ... i'm hoping you may be the people to help me out.
I've suffered with lower back pain for years now and it has got increasingly worse. We have tried facet joints injections and epidural but no joy. Osteopathy does bring me temporary relief and allows me to function for a few days, but doesn't seem to be a long term solution.

Saw the consultant yesterday and he says we need to "bite the bullett" and go for an op. However, i must decide whether to go for just a disctectomy or a disctectomy with a spinal fusion?? help! I thought they were supposed to be the experts!

The worse and bulk of my pain is in my back; leg pain is there but minimal in comparision - which leads me to think that the disctectomy is not enough?

I'm so confused as to which way to go. I need something done to improve my quality of life. Have any of you had a similar situation or have you any advise? Thanks in advance xx