Helllo, and welcome to Neuro Talk. I read your MRI. What concerns me is that above the area of real trouble, C4-5 and C6-7 you have moderate problems with narrowing. There is something called the domino effect. If your neck is not strong enough to support the hardware with surgery, the ones above the site can fail. this is what happened to me. I was not told that the area above the first concern at C6-7 were damaged. I had fusion at C6-7 and then 6 years of misery later, I had that re-done with C3-7. This wasn't fun. Make sure that you do go for a second opinion to a neuro surgeon, and ask this specific question OK? I do want you to know the surgery can be successful. My second was good, and I don't have unbearable pain anymore. I wish you all the best as you go forward, and try to find a solution. ginnie