Dear Jen

I think the surgeons and your mom are the ones to really talk to about surgeries.
I personally would advocate for conservative managemnt first...the reality is even without any form of managemnt...the problem will go away on its own after several months...sometimes the bulge, sequesters and resorbs.

the problem is waiting for that to happen may mean that there is a risk to other problems developing before that...here goes my reasoning in deciding...

Traction: maybe is your mom was younger, did not have severe osteoporosis and can endure the positions required...so if you want to consider traction, they bone densities need to be re-checked as a precaution...if this is safe...physiotherapy will go hand in hand...

other forms of PT:??????????...I personally will try my hands on physiotherapy first...with long term benefits...that is difficult to say...u mention mutiple disc bulges...so mmmmmm.....I think its worth having a go....physiotherapy is unlikely to help with the stenosis though...

Spinal decompression: prognosis often very good in the younger patients...
scraping the disk...same as above....

Nowadays, surgeries to the spine do not have to involve excessively invasive procedures...this may be the likely intervention to give the most long term benefit...

the risks, infection, neurological problems, problems with anaesthesia...

My choice...i would recommend a combination of conservative management...
osteoporotic management...meds and functional exercise
corticosteroid injection treatment for major pain relief
physiotherapy...a consideration of traction only if bone density is safe and patients general health means she can sustain the positions required

Surgery...if neither of all this is working...my guess is they should since, functionally your mom is showing signs of reduced pain anyway...

cheers