Just my opinion, but I feel like if you are asymptomatic, you can possibly push off surgery for a long time doing a ton of core work and strengthening. DDD is really common, and a lot of people live with it for many, many years with just a nagging ache (I've been doing it for 6 years). It sounds like you don't have nerve compression either, which is good. I guess it's good to be prepared, but if you are asymptomatic now, then there is reason to expect that you can halt the progression and need for surgery. At the end of the day, it's all about the pain, right? Some people go years and years with little disc height and very little pain...everybody is different. I guess I'm saying all this because I'm in a similar situation and do not want to have surgery any time soon.
As for l5-s1, I think Activ L is a pretty good disc for that level, as it's design is pretty sturdy. I would check with Zeegers and Clavel before doing anything though, definitely.
__________________
HIZ tear at l5 s1 with mild disc height reduction and mild dehydration.
|