May I make a suggestion? Before you make any decision, please take the time to visit a website I highly recommend -
www.microspine.com.
I suggered with severe back and leg pain for over a year until I found them. Miracle!! I had to pay a percentage (thanks Blue Cross/BS of Florida) and it was worth every cent.
I have been working since the surgeries on my back (the left first, 3 months later, the right) - I am completely pain free. I was told by two neurosurgeons that if I didnt let them remove the ruptured disc, I would never be pain free - they wanted to place hardware in my spine....no no no no no.
Good luck and God bless!