Will go for minimally invasive micro laminectomy next, tired of treating symptoms and not the root cause.

In that procedure surgeon will remove parts of lower vertebrae that is pinching the nerve bundle, nerves that progress down each leg.

Success rates of better than 70%, it's a gamble. But willing to accept that rather than end up on addictive pain pills for life.

3 to 6 months recovery period before active lifestyle again, cannot risk disturbing the "fix". Giving up flip turns in lap swimming for quite a while. Supplemental covers the other 20% that medicare won't pay.

Cash paying patients suffer $35k to $45 K for the procedure.

Medicare pony's up only about $6,500, which the surgeon must accept, no extra cash changes hands.

Supplemental covers the 20% that medicare will not pay.