Suggest Treatment For Nerve Compression In The Lumbar Region?

My father in law has nerve compression in the lumbar region (? L3 / L5 level. He is under an orthopaedic surgeon. He has had one epidural with some success in pain reduction in the legs. He has had no physiotherapy. He is about to have another injection - but has been put on the waiting list for a bilateral nerve route decompression - to be performed by an orthopaedic surgeon. My questions are:1. Should alternatives not be explored prior to surgery eg physiotherapy? 2. in the event surgery is necessary is it best performed by an orthopaedic surgeon or a neurosurgeon? What are the risks of this surgical procedure?