My husband had a fusion almost three years ago. He says the pain is worse now than before the surgery, but he had a fractured disc that was leaking spinal fluid, so had to do something to fix it. They do have an alternative where instead of fusing the back, they actually put artificial (plastic, I think) discs in your back instead of fusing-my husband says he wishes he had opted for that now, maybe the pain wouldn't be so bad. He goes to a pain management doctor now and takes Suboxin subligual twice a day-and somas, as well as zanaflex & elavil to sleep. He still has muscle spasms alot and complains about the pain. However, he did go back to work 6 months after the operation to a physically demanding job. His doctor told him that the back was fused and there was nothing he could not do-that it was not going to come lose. He had to go back to work though-the short term disability had run out and the long term disability would not pay our health insurance so then we were looking at over $900 a month for that out of the long term disability pay which was even less than the short term pay. plus he has to pay child support $650 month. I also got laid off during this time, so times were hard. He just sucked it up & went back & has been back ever since. He complains sometimes, but the suboxin definately helps alot with all the pain he still has. His surgery was in Feb 21, 2008, He went back to work the 1st week of Septeraber 2008. No one can tell you what to do, but I would explore all my options before deciding on one-just because my doctor just wants to do a fusion is not a reason to get one. That is what happened to my husband. I have not really looked into the artificial discs alot, I just know they are available. Good luck.
Hi spineAZ thanks for the positive input i guess that it is different here in Australia sadly.