Hi Cam i think you are right when you say doctors don't always know the answers this is why they can be so vague about how they answer our questions , any way all i can say is that you have at least one disk that is putting pressure on your nerves that branch off near your spinal cord this is not usually considered a really serious condition all though it could be causing some pain. i do not think that this is treated by surgery back surgery is very risky and usually reserved as a last resort. good luck.