One of the US doctors I consulted with was Egon Doppenberg.
Leading Medical Offices and Hospitals in Chicago | NorthShore
He was very good at explaining the pros and con's of ADR vs anterior fusion vs posterior fusion.
I was given his name by a family medical connection.
I did an edit and included some of his points. Sorry for the bad formatting.
> 1. 3 level total disc arthroplasty to replace 3 discs. This is a surgery
> through your abdomen that has pros and cons, including an approximately 2-5
> percent chance if permanent sexual dysfunction in men. Also, there is a very
> small risk of life threatening injury to the major vessels including aorta
> and iliac veins
> Downside is that revision surgery can be very complicated if you do not have
> good relief of pain.
> Advantage is mobility, less chance of other discs becoming problematic in
> the future.
>
> 2.
> Anterior lumbar interbody fusion.
> Same as 1. Except the vertebrae are fused and there is a more predictable
> outcome. . Downside is slightly reduced mobility ( which you may have
> already to begin with) same complications as 1.
>
> 3. Transforaminal interbody fusion with posterior instrumentation.
> Through the back. No risk of complications as described above.
> Does require possibly slightly more recovery time, but outcome is more
> predictable. Again you will lose some mobility, with approximately 5 percent
> chance of developing trouble at other levels in your life.