Wig from WTS had back surgery in May due to an almost 20 year old back injury. He said even coming to in the recovery room he could already feel the difference. I can't remember exactly what he had done though

I know it wasn't an easy surgery and he debated for quite some time before going through with it.
I know he was back doing physical things pretty fast because he wife was worried he was going to hurt himself again - within at least a few weeks he was doing relatively strenuous activity.
Just make sure you get a VERY good doctor. Through the years of breaking bones myself and family breaking bones (we're not fragile, just accident prone!), I've found that finding bone doctors that work on professional athletes tend to be the best.