I had the L4-L5 problem, no room for nerve bundle right throught the center. I had a laminectomy, which I call a lemonectomy. It made my back worse and no one I've met that had one got any releif. It forced me to go for an L4-L5-S1 fusion which is titanium rods and a bone graft on each side. It took almost two years to completely heal, but I'm 95% now. I say go for it. The people who heal without surgery are very fortunate and very few. This went on for six years. Good Luck Bob! Don't plan on pulling any anchor lines for a few months. Which brings up a point. I've seen an electric anchor motor advertised in STS. Anyone tried one yet?