Bonnie, I had my neck surgery (C6-T2 laminectomy with fusion) five months after a knee replacement. My symptoms came rapidly, neuropathy head to toe with little to no balance. With no neck pain, it took time for anyone to notice my condition. By the time I consulted with a neurosurgeon, I was just about in a wheelchair. My surgery had to be done posterior. I had a two day hospital stay, a month recovery, and pool therapy. I feel this was not a hard surgery with reasonable discomfort. I use a cane & a walker at times but my symptoms are so much better. I had my surgery when I was 76. If you can avoid my situation by having your surgery done before it becomes an emergency, that’s your best bet.