Of course Toni, I had a surgeon tell me that if the MRI with contrast dye was inconclusive, he would know more once inside! But you're right about not having surgery on the lower back. I had 3, first one, about 5 yrs. Relief, 2nd one 2 yrs., 3rd one, no relief at all! For some reason, upper back, or neck spinal surgery, very good outcomes. Lower back, uh-uh!