I am considering surgery to replace the disc at c6/c7. The herniation is centrally located to the right and I've been dealing with a range of pain and symptoms to all limbs for about 9mths.  I've had two epidural injections with some relief after the second one but the pain is returning. I've also been going to PT 2x weekly.  I've been told I can't do any lifting (groceries included), no sports, excercise, boating, golfing.  The thought of surgery and the risks associated scare me but I'm not sure what else to do. If I take a bump to my body that causes my head to jerk it could be enough to render me a quadraplegic.  Seems like a no-brainer right?  Reading the surgical warnings and some of the stories from others, the decision is not so simple.  The surgeon says if I can live/deal with the pain that might be preferred over surgery.  I'm 46 - seems like waiting could complicate recovery and of course I live with the stress of what if?  What would you do?