Cartilage Spine problem

I have a pain at lower part of my spine and this pain becomes very sever when i wake up
this has been the case for about a year now and lately i am gradually get Numbness in my left toes also my left leg gets stiffen lately. and today i feel like my left hand fingertips is burning. I went for GP and told me that you have cartilage problem in the spine and that the only solution is to have an operation. I wonder if this is the case and if i have other solution than an operation.