[MRM]

Are you on a rigorous PT program in addition to your pain management treatment? I'm not a doctor, but when I was younger I cut my teeth handling car accident cases, which were mostly neck injuries. From that experience I learned a few things. First, the surgery they are suggesting is very invasive and very serious. You have to be pretty bad before they start recommending fusions like that. Second, the quality of the surgeon makes a difference. Before you try anything approaching what they suggest you want the best ortho in the world, regardless of the insurance he accepts. Pay the difference out of pocket if you need to in order to get the best. You have to rely on personal referrals to find out who is the best.

Finally, PT often works when surgery seems like it's the only option. Neck and back surgery are so complicated and don't tend to have great results because of the shape of our spines. A brutal PT regimen with obsessive level follow up exercises can often get a better long term outcome than surgery. But you have to be willing to keep up the exercises forever. Do talk to your docs about a PT program and at least try to work out with a PT before going through therapy.

Final final thought, for what my advice is worth, your might find relief with ice. Ice actually reduces inflammation as well as having an analgesic effect. Inflammation is one thing that causes you pain, so reducing inflammation will improve your symptoms. So try ice and exercise and see if you can hold off on surgery for now.