hey @sschmitt77 this is @lilgrizz. I read your intro and thought I probably didn't fit into this discussion but will pop in here anyway. Most of everyone's post is spot on about neck and mine is about degenerative scoliosis. I don't know the tech terms so please bear with me. I tried to post pics but I guess they were to big to upload. I was saying my entire spine from about the base of the neck to the top of my tailbone was degenerating, my spine looked like an S.I kept me from being from being completely deformed but didn't do much for the pain. I also have multiple sclerosis and lupus which did not help the pain either. The first surgery is when they placed the rods in and shortly after that they went in thru my stomach and fused the bottom part of the spine. My mom is 75 and just recently lost her vision so I sleep in the living room in recliners with her when she yelled at me. I jumped up and then fell really hard on my need and cracked the two rods that had been screwed into the spine where they had been placed. So I had to go back in for another surgery for the third time to have it repaired. I think I can emphasize the pain you must feel but momma always said never, ever say you know what anyone is going thru if you've never walked in there shoes. Right now I'm scared they're going to take away my pain meds because of Trump. But they can have my meds when they pry them out of my cold dead hands.lol. I laugh now but I'm sure I'll be crying later. And they don't care about the ones who suffer from severe, chronic pain. That's just plain cruel. Hey, I really hope you can find a decision you're comfortable with and you come out pain-free. God Bless You and watch over you.