Keith, I had a ruptured L4/L5 13 years ago, and the pain was phenomenal. But when I woke up after surgery, it was 90% gone. Its not minimally invasive and I was in for 3 days, but when I walked out, I would say by that point I was 95% pain free and VERY happy I had gone in! I had about 10 weeks of physical therapy afterword, which was mainly walking (Luckily it was summer) and working weights with my legs. Good luck with surgery.
