Question
i have had a prior surgery on my neck 5 years ago.An anterior fusion from C3 to C5 was done.I have continued having neck problems since.I recently had a MRI ran and this is what it read.
Chronic post-surgical changes from anterior fusionC3 to  
C5. Stable central C5-6 disk bulging thecal sac effacement and cord deformity.A new left paracentral C6-7 focal disk hernition is identified and causes mass effect and may also be a source of radiculopathy.
If I put off surgery,what damage can be done to my spinal cord? If I have the surgery,how much range of motion can I lose?What do you suggest?

Answer
Tough call Sherri,

You know surgery rarely helps anybody and once you have it you are along for the ride.They should reserve spine surgery to only the absolute worst cases since they rarely work out. If I were you I would try over door home cervical traction and find a Chiropractor that does towel traction. This works 90% of the time for herniated discs, with prior surgery, scar tissue, chronic degenerative post-op changes, the outcome is probably 50/50. It is still worth a try since waiting won't cause any irreparable harm.

If it isn't too late, I try to talk people out of surgery, then I don't have to deal with the inevitable poor outcome down the road. It is much easier to fix a virgin neck vs. one that's been cut.
 Scar tissue strangles neurological structures and always causes increased instability with discs above and below the surgery. It is all to common to have subsequent disc herniation in otherwise healthy disc levels after surgery near the procedure.
Basically, they are risking your future, well-being, possible death and/or paralysis and quality of life on the slim chance you will get improvement, knowing full well that down the road, they are creating more problems then they solve. It wouldn't surprise me if new laws outlawed the procedure, reserving it for only ruptures,fractures and invasive neoplasms.
A rupture is NOT a herniation and is very rare. If you indeed had a rupture than surgery was your only option. What kills me is the people deceived into thinking surgery is the answer for neck and low back herniations when in fact most of them can be reduced without surgery. Your title states, "cervical disc rupture". I see no evidence of this on the MRI.
I hope you weren't mislead into thinking herniation and rupture mean the same thing, they don't. Definitely get conservative options applied first; only get the surgery if 100% necessary, if there is a 1% chance of avoiding it, then delay it until there are no other options.

Good Luck!

Dr. Timothy Durnin