I had the complete lumbar spine done 2005. It helped, but with DDD it continues to be a problem. For a few years it helped, I tried to get up from my desk and couldn't had to call co-workers to help. It was directly related to PT I was doing for a frozen shoulder. In 2012, I received a morphine pump that works great. For me, there is so much arthritis throughout my body. I see it as a journey that working with a good neurosurgeon dealt with problems as they arose. I think you are better off with surgery, to do nothing could result in worse problems.
Good luck.