Hi jmangini19, welcome.

Surgery should be considered only after all other modalities have been tried & failed, when there is instability, danger of permanent paralysis/nerve damage, etc. Since you've been getting better over the past year, it doesn't sound like surgery is warranted in your case, and that's good.

I'd hate for someone to tell you that you could get better, then settle your case based on that assumption only to find out afterward that you cannot get any better, if you catch my drift. No-one can predict the future, but considering the results you've been getting, I don't see any reason to give up or stop trying. Have you tried any other conservative therapies, e.g. acupuncture, myofascial trigger point therapy, TENS, etc.? Have you been to a physiatrist?

You can certainly speak with a neurologist if you want to, but they can't predict the future either. I wouldn't worry about surgery down the road unless/until something happens (gets much worse) down the road, then deal with it if it's the only solution.

Has your doctor not gone over & explained your MRI? S/he should have, and I would request an appointment to do so. I don't see anything alarming about it, but some other folks here are better at explaining MRIs than I; it would take me as much time & effort as it would you, but to get the fullest understanding (nothing misinterpreted or left out) I would take the time to do it for myself.

Best wishes,

Doc