Hello!
I had two herniated discs which ruptured (in my lower spine) with the result of intense pain and skin numbness all down one leg - very unpleasant.
Took me 6 weeks to get an MRI and then another 6 to get the results of the MRI - I was clearly forgotten about and only after much phone badgering on my part I had a very alarmed doctor ring me on my mobile to make sure I was still continent as my MRI looked so awful. Reassuring, no?!
Fortunately for me, in the interim between disc rupture and assessment of the MRI, the disc matter had shrunk back which is what the osteopath said it would do, and my symptoms had abated. The numbness from nerve damage (from the inside of the disc pressing on the nerves) lasted a little while - I was told at the time it might be permanent - but has now totally gone.
I don't have any experience of cervical rupture, but as I understand it, and as happened in my case, a rupture means the inside of the disc bursts through the side like jam out of a donut, but then, because it's in the wrong place in the body, it generally just shrivels up. The disc will always be weaker but I think it replenishes itself to some degree? In severe cases where it doesn't abate you can be operated on to suck out the disc matter which is pressing on a nerve. I'd advocate giving it some time first to see if it clears up on its own - I think in my own case an unnecessary spinal operation might have happened if my MRI follow-up had not been soooooo slow!
Anyway, it's worth you asking what will happen if nothing is done. I hope you get better soon.