Welcome to Neuro Talk. Many people here have back issues. There will be someone named Leesa that will help you with your MRI. I ususally wind up looking up each individual word, and I am still learning. I came here for the same reason you did. Leesa was the first to help me out and calm me.
I know just a few things for sure, a second and even third opinion is the best possible thing you can do for yourself. Keep a pain journal and bring it with you to the Neurologist. Also if you have a friend or spouse that can go with you it will help you if you should miss anything the neurologist says.

There are key words in an MRI. Mild, Moderate, Severe. When your MRI leans toward the severe word, there are some problems that need those opinions. Surgery is always a last resort after all concervative measures have been tried. I have had two cervial fusions, I have DDD also. My own surgery was successful.

I am sorry that all this happened to you. There is support here while you go through these issues. ginnie