micro: spinaluniverse.com is a good site for info and pictures. There is a picture of the spine with labels on some discs as to what they do or are for. With a little work you can look at the report and the picture and know exactly where the problem is.................that can help in decision making.
ALSO, google descriptions as written and you find loads of info. When they gave me to surgery order...I googled the procedure name and printed out the entire description For me, it was reassuring.
The site above was recommended by my Dr.