Should I fuse C2 - C3 with Discectomy

[Claverach]

I have a bulging disc at c2 - c3.  Causing cord compression and minor cord signal interruption.  Also severe arthritis.  I suffer some bi lateral shoulder and upper arm aching late in the day.  Most days. (not horrible pain)  Some (minor) diminished reflexes in fingers and feet.  No bottom jaw reflex.  No walking or balance issues at this time.  This bulging disc was first noticed on a Cervical MRI in 2009. Has progressed some in a current MRI in Aug. 2014.
One surgeon is telling me to operate now.  Do a discectomy and fuse and plate C2-C3 from the front. He says I am at an increased quadriplegic risk in a bad fall or car accident.   Another surgeon is saying not to operate now. (I am 62)  He said my symptoms are not bad enough and the quadriplegic risk is not enough to do this surgery.  He says I am opening a can of worms and the other bones will wear out faster and I will need several more fusions.  He said he'd rather operate on me at 72 for the 1st time than at 72 for the 3rd time.  This is a very hard decision for me to make.  I sort of think I should be proactive and get my neck fixed now.  But I certainly don't want to create a pain nightmare for myself that I don't have a present.  Any opinions would be helpful.  Especially from people that have had fusions this high up in the neck.

[Claverach]

Thank you for your input.  I feel about the same as you do.  I am not in bad pain.  I would hate to open up a can of worms.  I have also heard that you can develop debilitating pain from this surgery.  The surgeon really is pushing this surgery as preventative in case I have a bad fall or get in an accident.  
Thank you again.

[CP3kids]

I have not had this surgery, but know several people who have.  It's a 50/50 split between very positive results and very poor results.  Make a list of the risks versus the benefits, and see which weighs out better for you!  It's going to depend much on your activity level now, and other health issues you have going on.  Ultimately, if you can live with the pain as it is now, and still are able to function fairly normally, I wouldn't mess with it.  Surgeons like to do surgery...occasionally too quick to jump on that bandwagon.