I dont know if you are seeing ortho back dr or neurosurgeon, always always always go with a neurosurgeon on any back surgery. I had two spinal fractures one on top of the other after my wreck last year, and the ortho guy wanted to take me in ASAP, I got a second opinion from a neurosurgeon that my boss operates with and he suggested letting them heal on their own......I did and I am so glad I did let the other dr jump into doing surgery on me!