I have a degenerative disc disease and was unaware.
Played contact sports in my youth (football, lacrosse, hockey, streetball, skateboarding, etc) so had a little pain in the neck from time to time, but thought it was wear and tear.

When I was working at age 30, I had a few hundred pounds of product on a dolly, pulled it towards myself, turned it, and pushed off and had the most excruciating pain in my neck.
Thought I had pinched a nerve or something and after a few days of not getting better, sought a diagnosis.

After telling me about the degenerative disc disease, and that at 30, imaging showed the spine of a 50 - 60 year old.
I opted for a conservative course of physical therapy as intrusive procedures on my spine terrified me.

18 months of PT. INTENSE PT, thinking if I just work hard enough it'll get better, but it kept worsening.

They finally did a Myelogram and Discogram and discovered how bad things really were.
I was 3mm from collapsing my spine at 3 levels and being paralyzed.
The 3 days I had to wait for a surgery were the longest scariest days.

I would inquire about more specific diagnostic testing with a spinal specialist that's not wholly focused on surgical outcomes.

Fusion causes additional stress above and below the fusion, and after a number of years, you just have a new problem to deal with.

Hope you get a clear diagnosis locked in. It would sure help make better quality of life decisions.

Nerve stimulator units have been helpful to a degree with my extreme pain, but not sure that's an option for you, and they of course have their own baggage...

Best of luck, and please feel free to reach out with any more questions.

Oh, and just for info's sake, my fusion hardware was all done on the front of my neck.
So my information is based on that, don't want to waste any of your time if that info isn't helpful.

Best of luck with better health in '25.