Lauren,
Don't worry about a bulging disc (provided there are no symptoms). My surgeon told me that most adults have a bulging disc somewhere in their spine. It's just part of the normal aging process. I have a bulge at C5/C6, which is below two levels of fusion C3/C5. It's not causing any symptoms and hopefully never will. When I was considering ADR due to symptoms the result of C6/C7, 3 out 4 European surgeons recommended ADR for both C5/C6 and C6/C7 (Mr. Dare, Ritter-Lang, and Biestedt. Clavel was the only one who suggested I could wait on C5/C6, but may have to address it in the future).
I'm glad I listened to my NYC surgeon and got an endoscopic foraminotomy at C6/C7, covered 100% by insurance. I feel 1,000 times better and keep my fingers crossed that I don't ever need cervical spine surgery again. My fingers are crossed for you too!!
Gene
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Car Accident 2002 - Small Herniated Disc C3/C4
1998 Larger Herniation and Cervical Fusion C3/C4
2005 Herniation C4/C5 - 40 epidural steroid injections from Oct 2005, - Oct, 2007
2008 - Foraminotomy at C6/C7 on left side
Feb, 2010 - Cervical Fusion C4/C5
Dec, 2010 - Lumbar Fusion L3/L5
2013 - Bulge on C5/C6; herniation C6/C7 right side
Mar 26, 2013 - Foraminotomy at C6/C7 on right side
May 5, 2015 - ADR with Dr Blumenthal of TBI for C5/C6 using Mobi-C
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