John,
Mark is really your goto guy but I don't think S1/L5 is out of trouble. I had two discectomies/laminectomies, eventually ending up with a 3 level adr.
L2/3 wasn't in great shape but was not a pain generator.
From my own experience, I was scheduled to have a fusion at that level and was told that you move the least (lumbarwise) from that disc. Doctors have told me I may not even feel any difference though I did eventually have an adr. I do know someone who had a fusion at that level and is still an avid golfer today, with no noticable impairment.
Evidence has shown that fusions promote DDD... but then again, I recently read a paper that suggests so do adrs?
None of this means that you will experience future problems, but awareness means you can take proper precautions, although a sneeze might do more damage than a golf swing!!!!
Michelle, perhaps you should join me in the miniature division.
Good luck to all,
Dale
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3 level Prodisc adr S1-L3, Oct 12, 2005
Dr. B in Bogen, Germany
Severe nerve damage in left leg, still working on it
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