hi jim

I am same age as you and had the same symptoms as you have. Had all the scans and tests over a period of 18 months had a second MRI and it showed a prolapsed disc surgery followed and pain had gone BUT the damage to the nerves takes a long time to recover
a year later I still have numbness in pinky and ring finger don't be afraid of pushing for surgery because I think it was left to long for me.

The surgery sounds servere but I was home within 24 hours

good luck

dave