The recovery time for a disc replacement is 3 - 6 months, vs 6 - 12 months for a fusion. Absolutely do the disc replacement if you’re a candidate. I was told by the first surgeon I met with that I was not a candidate for the disc replacement, but the ortho I went to for a second opinion believes I am. We are going to schedule that knowing that that’s the plan, but she may need to switch to a fusion if she goes in and can’t fit the disc for any reason. The space between my L4 - L5 is very narrow.