[Fortitudine]

Welcome, Apache,
I think you have come to the right place. There are many many intelligent and knowledgeable people on this forum.

Your family certainly has had more than its share of back problems! I can understand the discomfort your son is in as far as making any more surgical decisions.

But he is already somewhat ahead of the game - his surgeon suggested getting a second opinion, and discussed ADR as an option - more than a lot of spine surgeons would do. Go for it. Get two more opinions, even. There are now lots of surgeons doing ADR in the US. You don't necessarily have to leave the country.

If you tell us what part of the country you are in, chances are more than one poster will be able to give you the names of some excellent surgeons who do ADR and/or fusion somewhere closer than across the Atlantic.

If you don't get a lot of response, you could repost on Arthroplasty Central.