Welcome to Neuro Talk. That is great that you are questioning everything before you do your surgery. The long range issues with me were a factor. I had C6-7 done 7 years ago. I had the domino effect during those inbetween years where my neck got worse. Two years ago, I had C3-7 fused, redoing #6-7. I did not ask the questions that you are. I didn't know I had damage other than the first one at C6-7. I did have trouble and pain right out of surgery, which the doctor didn't believe me. Got my records years later to find out indeed I did have other indications of damage above the site and below. Make sure that you do not have any weakness in the verterbre above and below the surgical site. Your spine has to be strong enough for the hardware. I do wish you all the best. ginni