You may find this diagram helpful.
http://www.makoa.org/scimap.htm
Cervical fusion can be effective, but it does not always cure all of the nerve pain. But as the doctor said, if there is stenosis, surgery is needed because the nerves are getting squeezed. Also that if there is a functional problem, it has to be addressed. These are urgent.
Hi there. You need to confirm with your neurologist if you have degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, C7 level, and there is prolapsed disc, you might need therapy for the same. You could try NSAIDs, physiotherapy and relevant exercises, acupressure, hot fomentation, epidural injection of steroids, and lastly decompressive surgery including discectomy or cervical fusion. Immediate surgery is warranted if there is a cervical canal stenosis or myelopathy symptom. Hope this helps. Take care.