I had c5-6 fused about two years ago to relieve similar symptoms. Frontal entry was done-suggested as to lower risk of damaging nerves clustered at that area at the back. I , like Hammer, consider it a success. Waiting for further damage is not my advice. I had l2-3 fused in my back after all kinds of shots and a lesser procedure (microdiskectomy) and ended up with permanent damage in my legs and and am still going for other procedures, including one tomorrow, to try to lessen the pain. Don't wait- and hope your insurance company is on board. And listen to your doctors about recovery time. Don't think you can drive when that may require quick and extreme left to right movements etc. That's my experience. Neck in 2010, back in 2008.