Quick update. Had bilateral Pars blocks and a Caudal epidural. They gave me Rohypnol for the op and I can recall the juice going in and then the bloke (can't spell anesthesiologist) saying that it would start to take effect in about 30 seconds. Next thing I remember is having a cup of tea in my hand, sat up in bed. No idea at all about what happened in between but I was awake for the whole thing, so they say. Scary stuff, Rohypnol!
12 hours of feeling a bit doped up and then 48 hours of total relief. Next few days have been reasonable with a return of the tremors during the morning and backache whenever I've been exercising the back. Pins and needles have remained throughout. Fingers crossed that I'll be back flying soon. Next appointment in 3 weeks and then a few weeks without meds before a CAA visit.
The pic above shows the displaced vertebra and the 2 discs either side which are slipped aft.