Hi Don,
It may be to the point that you have to have the surgery in order to keep functioning. If so, make sure that you totally understand the risks involved. If you do decide not to have the surgery because of the risk and you think you can get along without it. I would then ask the doctor to put in writing that the surgery could very well make your situation worse and that you are not willing to take the risk. I would then take what the doctor writes to SSA AFTER I MADE COPIES. I may be wrong but this may help with your SSDI claim. I do know that you definitly need to keep SSA updated on changes to your condition. Legal may be able to offer better advice but just hang in there.