The very first time I met the surgeon who looked after my two slipped (degenerate) discs, he said " the last thing I will ever do is operate as there's no guarantee it will make things better, and there is a chance that operating will make things worse."When I had nerve grafts back in the 90s the surgeon said no one is the same and can expect the same outcome.
I immediately trusted him and have referred myself back to him on other occasions.
My back is (no operations but lots of Olympic-team level physio) now fine. If you're in te UK and have back problems PM me and I'll share the name of the physio - she was excellent beyond excellence.