I too have it. It came out of nowhere 2.5 years ago. I do have fingers and toes with osteoarthritis and I had a RHP 7 years ago. Nothing prepared me for the pain. I was screaming so loud a neighbor texted me to see if I was ok. It turns out I have a bone spur pressing on a nerve. I have had two cortisone injections a couple of years apart. They help for awhile then I go though it for a couple of weeks again. I went to Dr. Su the spinal surgeon that does this surgery and posts on youtube He happens to have his practice where I live. Evidently they don't do the surgery unless you get numbness down your arm. I'm still in the pain mode. The only thing that even helps me a little is ice. And you're right the surgery through the front of the neck looks awful.