Although I had my neck/cervical surgery, your account parallels mine. 2001 I had posterior neck surgery on C2-C7 . The hardest part fort me, was wearing the MIAMI J COLLAR for 3 months, couldn't drive, home from work, etc. It really helped, as time went on there was a huge reduction in pain. No PT. About 2 years later, pain started again, this time an anterior surgery was performed on C-2 to C-7, disks were removed and cages implanted with a titanium rod which gave my neck a lot of support. There are many other joint replacements that occurred, but that is a story for another day. Good luck, I am sure it will help with your condition. Just the pressure off the spinal cord will offer great relief.