There are always certain risks that come with having any kind of surgery. This must be weighed against the likelihood that you’ll get better on your own or with conservative care.
Many experts require six months or more of nonsurgical treatment. Such care may include medications, change in activity, and physical therapy. Sometimes steroid injections and bracing are also given a trial period.
A recent study from Finland compared the change in quality of life before and after neck or back surgery. Patients either had spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal) or disc problems. The researchers were able to calculate the cost on a unit basis using quality of health as a measure.
They showed that patients who had surgery early (within 60 days) did much better compared to patients who delayed operative care (after 60 days). There is some controversy over these findings.
Long-term studies show that conservative care is just as good as operative treatment. The difference is in the short- to mid-term quality of health, which is better with surgery. So your neurosurgeon is right in suggesting surgery done now will give you better immediate results. But in the long run, a wait-and-see approach may have the same final results.