My only non-helpful input comes directly from an actual back surgeon. He refused to operate on anyone’s back unless the person crawled into his office.
I’m very close to the point that all I can do is crawl.
My medical group has been the same way. PT after PT after PT - two rounds of anti inflammatory steroids, two rounds of epidurals, over TWO YEARS of severe pain. Walking like Quasimodo unless I use crutches or a walker.
FINALLY they're handing me off to a neurosurgeon in about a month. Very apprehensive about it, but I appreciate that they didn't just throw me into the operating theatre willy-nilly. Even a laminectomy has risks.
BUT - this is for spinal stenosis, not a failed disk, which would require fusion. Colleague of mine underwent that twice in the early "oughts". Had to retire at 45 on full disability. Hope that 20 years has improved the procedure.