I had my first back surgery in Feb 2017 to correct a Scoliosis in my lower back (8 Titanium Brackets holding spine straight). I considered the first surgery 90% successful. After surgery surgeon said “ I may have to fuse vertebrae just above or just below brackets. Sure enough I had mild but persistent pain below the brackets. I agreed to second surgery in Jan 2018. That one was only about 10% successful and it dragged the first one’s success down to 10%. My point is to suggest you ask your surgeon what the success rate is for you surgery and what his success rate is. Also ask what percentage of the time there is complications from the surgery and what they are and how often. I think any back surgery can end up badly. If the fusion is in the lower-back they may have to go in through your abdomen which is more complicated. Going through the back much easier. Just review surgery on internet, ask a lot of questions and don’t take anything for granted.
Going through the back. The problem is in the L2-L3 area.