I've been having severe back pain that barely lets me get out of bed.. it's been a chronic problem on and off for 8 months now. I finally had an MRI and discovered I have a severely degenerated disc in the L5 and mildy in L4.. the doctor said that he highly suggests fusion surgery. He said injections will only help with the leg pain and I need to stabilize my back. It's been hard to even stand up straight for a long time also. 

I'm wondering who has had this surgery before and do you recommend? Are you still able to ride? My doctor said that I could still ride just maybe not as long but right now I can't anyways. ANY experience/advice would be appreciated. 

bumped up another thread for you

i had back surgery and had 3 parts fused. i had 3 ruptured disk. It was back in 2012, I was 28yrs old. I went back to running barrels at 6mo after Dr completley cleared me. I have not had any issues, I ride a little more straight in my lower back because it is harder for me to melt down in my saddle. But I just adjusted. The only issue I had from it was when it came to having my daughter, I have so much scar tissue it completely screwed my epidural up and I ended up having emergency c section. The meds would stop at my scar tissue and go back up and gave me really bad reactions and i would go into convolutions from it. That was pretty painful and traumatic. 

But I went 3yrs of horrible pain before going to the doctor. I could not feel from my waste down, horrible siatic pain as well.

Oh my! I'm so sorry to hear but SO glad to hear you can ride still! Thank you for the insight so much!!