I had surgery a ruptured disc (a bone fusion c5/c6 3 yrs ago) & now have another herniated disc just above c4 /c5 area due to the pressure of the 1st bone fusion. The numbness is gone & so has the pain however I have been told that I will need surgery in the future for the new disc rupture. I had a pain management Doctor along with PT & ended up with epidural steriod injections (these help) & have both a TENns unit at work & a mussel stimulator for home use. These have been a Godsend. I have 2 cervical ribs that may be adding to my neck pain. I must say that for the last 6 months I may take pain meds very rarely to sleep & am down to using my TEn's unit maybe once every other month. Please make sure that you retain a nurosurgeon & check out his qualifications. Mine was very good. Ironically I have 2 friends that have had this surgery. One followed the recomendations her drs gave her & is doing great (she had 3 discs fused in her only surgery) some restriction with neck movement. The other friend had 2 discs fused in the 1st operation then had another operation where they re-did a portion and fused an additional dis & still has pain & is currently on Medical leave. Remember there is always help.