Welcome Mbeckett. I can't advise you on the nerve ablation but I had the surgery at almost 58. There were some hiccups in the initial weeks (early pain control issues and dizziness from 6-12/13 weeks, but by 13 weeks post op things suddenly improved and I felt great.
So for me it was three months recovery and in return I got all the benefits Chris mentioned. Pain free and halting the curve progression into the future, is a pretty good payoff.
I wish you luck in your decisions and I hope you get the benefit of the experience of people on this forum.
Surgery March 3, 2009 at almost 58, now 63.
Dr. Askin, Brisbane, Australia
T4-Pelvis, Posterior only
Osteotomies and Laminectomies
Was 68 degrees, now 22 and pain free