Neck tightness and surgery

I've had neck tightness for years and my latest MRI of the cervical spine has this finding:

"There is replacement of the usual cervical lordosis with a kyphotic deformity from C2 to C7. Anterior osteophytes are present at C5-6, C6-7, and to a lesser extent C3-4 and C4-5"

"C3-4 Broad-based disk osteophyte-complex with moderate to severe right-sided and mild left-sided bony foraminal narrowing"

There doesn't seem to be significant or any nerve damage at this point. Looking at the spine from the side it seems there's no space for the nerve already but looking at it from the top the nerve is not constricted yet. My orthopedist says that surgery (something about getting a graft from the hip bone) is the only way to correct this but I can opt to wait until the tightness becomes really bad.

My question are:
1. The tightness with arthritis is bearable at this point but it does get to be very uncomfortable and I get headaches every so often. Do most people wait until it gets really bad before surgery or is it prudent in your opinion to just correct the problem now. I'm 43.

2. Who generally is better to do the surgery, an orthopedic surgeon or a neurosurgeon?

3. Which hospital(s) in the US is considered the best for this type of surgery?

4. What are the chances of becoming paralyzed as a result of this type of surgery?

Thank you for taking my many questions.

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-CS]

Without personally reviewing the films and your case I cannot make recommendations regarding the need for surgery, or what type of surgery is required. The decision to proceed to surgery needs to be made by each individual. Some patients cannot take the pain from their spine disease and have surgery. Other patients wait until there is muscle weakness or worsening symptoms before proceeding. A second opinion at an academic spine center would be reasonable. If you are in the area we have a wonderful spine center. Regarding which type of surgeon to use, the important thing is that the person specializes and has specialty training for spine disorders. Good luck.