Sounds like what I had in my C spine. When the surgeon saw my MRI, he says, wow, look at that big ol blown disc! I had more than that one. Showed me the areas of where I had them pressing on my spinal cord. More under the area that I got surgery for, but the surgeon said let's just do this for now. It was such a relief of pain. The surgery itself was hard, but worth it.
I have a son that had them in his back. Same thing where the disc's were pressing on the spinal cord. Had surgery. Doing better.
Maybe Larry can get his resolved with surgery.
Let us know what they decide.