I am not a big fan of ESI. In my opinion, they sometimes cause some problems and more pain. I refused the ESI injections. I am fused C3-7. I was a succesfull outcome, so if you do have surgery, know that it can turn out OK. It is great that you had more than one opinion too. I am not a doc. either, but if the surgery was suggested by more than one doctor and they both agreed, I would go through the surgery.. I had three opinions on this last surgery. I wish you all the best, and a good resolution. ginnie