Megonlegs

I can only give you my opinion based on my experiences, as I'm not a doctor I've had 4 procedures done on my spine - a laminectomy and fusion (posterior) in Oct 2009 and a repeat of the fusion (same location) anterior and posterior in 2011.

What I can say from my experience (ymmv), I unfortunately had the back luck of being referred to a spinal surgeon that no longer works in the DC metropolitan area. At the time of my initial surgery, I was told he was the best in the area and he had "great hands" and he was a Washingtonian rated doctor. Sadly, I had tremendous problems after my initial surgery (he put screws in that were significantly too long), and have found out over time that this surgeon was "chased" out of the area by his peers because he was doing shoddy work.

My second back surgeon did a great job, and it seems as though I have a decent amount of stability in my spine (though still some stability issues). Unfortunately, the fusion didn't fix my pain. I still have degenerative disc disease (yes, extremely common as we get older, though not everyone gets pain from it), spondylolisthesis, spondylitis, bulging discs out the ying yang -- the list goes on .. Ultimately, my spinal surgeon said I need to keep checking in with him every 6 months or so to make sure my hardware is still in one piece, but he said he can do nothing for the nerve pain - says it's permanent damage from the years upon years of compression on my nerves, and possibly from the first surgery I had.

I also have scoliosis (a double S-curve in my spine), which quite possibly causes a portion of my pain, and likely a portion of my migraines as well. If the scoliosis is fairly minor, most spinal surgeons won't even mention it other than in passing because the treatment (fusion)/the cure is worse than the problem.

I really think you should get a referral to a pain management specialist that is willing to work with you in all aspects of your pain management - from injections to PT to medications as necessary. It often takes a long time (I'm still going through this process after more than 20 years) to get the results you want, but you need to be your own advocate for your health. If something doesn't help, keep working with your doctors and have patience. I know it's hard!

I wish I knew doctors in your area - but I'm limited to giving a recommendation in Fairfax, Va (quite a drive) or maybe Frederick, MD (my little sister's pain doc is out there) ... but even that is further than you'd likely want to go.

I hope you find some relief from your pain quickly - I know it's hard! Just hang in there .. a lot of us know what you're going through, and sometimes it's enough to get through the day when you can vent.

All the best!