He should not do it. I have three etnriaehd discs as well as other more severe spinal conditions. I have three friends who had this surgery and none of them are glad they did. None experienced and benefits and one is much worse of. I have been told I am not a surgical candidate and would not have it if I was. I've just seen to much go wrong. I would continue living with it and he should also go to a chiropractor and have the discs put back where they belong. The ortho guys told me I would be in a chair right away ten years ago. Thanks to chiropractic I still am not. They are the ones trained to do this kind of work and they do it non-surgically. Bring him to one right away and let him have some relief. It usually only takes a couple visits. I see many,many elderly there.