Had a anterior cervical discectomy with fusion at 49. Yes, I had a man slit my throat and break my neck! I'd done a lot of research and I found out that after fifty, your vertibral discs are so dehydrated that pinch herniations (squishing the front so it pops out the back) are much less likely. So, that's good. I could not wear a helmet for awhile, but I have built my neck strength up so that I wear it always now.