It's a coin toss but
 

I must say give conservative therapy a try for at least six moths. My herniation went down a lot, but not enough. I waited for the technology since in 04 this was brand new here. Funny thing I can swear my surgeon said they used cadaver discs but I must of heard wrong. When I went to him again for my cadaver disc they told me he was a cadaver. I guess skiing didn't agree with him.but they say try conservative therapy for a bit. I'm guessing I could have made it without surgery if I wasn't on Oxy n working construction. I just destroyed my back more. They use to tell me slow down kid they don't pay you extra to work hard. That old man was right. When I got hurt again they laid me off.

LOL, US doc, supposedly one of the best. He personally has a fusion so I think he's biased? He was a rough appt, felt like I should go home and start digging a hole. Yeah, don't get me started on the state of US healthcare today....I'm not pleased.

I was denied twice and apparently have useless expensive insurance. They say since I am damaged at multi levels I am ineligible for ADR's. All docs agree they will not cover me for what that is worth. Insurance said I could apply for fusion but it may not be covered.

I am sorry about your accident btw (I'm in similar work), but fantastic WC is covering it!

I am 17 months since onset. Chiro keep me going for a year, my issue also "disappeared" after 6 months for several months but then returned. Bummer. I have used pain meds, traction at home and finally steroids (oral) I refused injections. Steriods and stopping my activities are the only thing that helped the pain. I took pain meds & muscle relaxants but only when desperate, I refuse to use them long term, emergency only. Some have suggested prolotherapy but only as a mechanism to "give me time" but I'm thinking maybe prolo afterward may make more sense?

TELL me about it! I am sick of being told I need to start looking at my future, taking care of grandchildren?! REALLY? I guess I should start acting my "age">:flaming: To be fair, I met a Dr who is also a runner and he didn't give me that routine, he thinks I can run again.

I hope so when this all started I was planning my first Ultra and do some more high altitude mountaineering.

For what it is worth, I know someone with a hip replacement and knee replacement who hangglides (nearly every weekend), kite surfs and skiis among other things. He's 57. :p

Thanks for the conversation everyone, it helps.

Cheers, Runner