[Welcome to Neuro Talk. I want you to know there is still help out there, if you truely think you need to go the surgical route. You need another neruo-surgeon, and maybe a pain specialist. I have the exact same condition you do. I have degenerative disk and joint disease. I have been fused twice, once at C-6-7, which failed, and further fusion fall of 2010, re-do C6-7 and was fused C3-7. In my case there was no choice at all. My pain specialist couldn't control my pain, and he is the one who found the best neuro surgeon in my area, Dr. Boyer. I live in Bradenton fla. south of tampa bay. I have no regrets about doing the second fusion, however at the time I was not real happy about it, more like terrrified. My pain specialist did give me katemine infusions, which helped for several months. I do understand what you are going through. I did not get perfect results, but my arms don't hurt and I am on a low dose of pain killers. If you are in that kind of horrible pain, don't stop seeking help. Did your last ortho give you a reason to why he didn't want to do the surgery? What has been said to you so far about the pro's and con's? I am here to talk treecat. Let me know a little more about what the doctors are saying to you. I also had a DO, who treated for pain, but didn't address my deterioration until I found another physician myself. I needed more help and went for it. ginnie