Alternatives to surgeory

I had an MRI recently on my cervical spine which showed a disc protrusion at C5/6 which was pressing on the C6 nerve root as well as my spinal cord. I saw a neurosurgeon who suggested cotisone to reduced the swelling in the nerve root as a temporary measure. This is to give me time to consider surgeory to remove the disc and fuse the bones together. I had my accident 10 months ago, which suggests that the disc isn't going to slip back on it's own.
My question is probably quite a stupid one, but I have to ask. If the disc isn't damaged, why is it not possible to just put it back to where it should be? Wouldn't this be easier all round? Fusing the bones together seems like such a drastic step for such a small slip of the disc.
I guess I'm just trying to explore all options before I decide what to do.
Thanks for your time.

[DrKalraMD]

Hi, here is some quoted literature “When you have a prolapsed disc (commonly called a 'slipped disc'), a disc does not actually 'slip'. What happens is that part of the inner softer part of the disc (the nucleus pulposus) bulges out (herniates) through a weakness in the outer part of the disc. A prolapsed disc is sometimes called a herniated disc. The bulging disc may press on nearby structures such as a nerve coming from the spinal cord. Some inflammation also develops around the prolapsed part of the disc.

Any disc in the spine can prolapse. However, most prolapsed discs occur in the lumbar part of the spine (lower back). The size of the prolapse can vary. As a rule, the larger the prolapse, the more severe the symptoms are likely to be”. Taken from website http://www.patient.co.uk/showdoc/27000885/

[Jagdish Vishnoi, MD]

Dear Annie,
Vertebaral column is organised with vertebras[bones] and inbetween each vertebra there is a disc which cojoins the vertebra.Disk is like lubricating and smoothing connection inbetween bones to provide uniformly smooth movement of the spine.Once this is displaced then bones will not be in desired angle for movement.Spinal cord and nerve roots run in central part of vertebral cord.So with this basic if compression of cord or root is there it should be relieved at earliest and for permanent.In disc prolapse basic structure of the disc is destroyed so its function is lost.For the same its advisable to remove the disc(discetomy).
hope to clarify your options for surgery.
Regards,