Surgery re assurance

[JLee]

Just looking for opinions and you guys here have some of the best around.
Back in April I was doing some chest flys when I felt something in my back by the shoulder blade. Stopped and went home, later had excruciating pain in my right arm, elbow and hand. Later my thumb, pointer and middle were numb. Went to doctor’s and she sent me to hand and elbow guy who said I needed carpal tunnel surgery but my issues would improve in a few months. To make a long story short I waited and haven’t had any improvement. I have a herniated disk in my neck C/6. My options are living with numbness in my fingers and my arm being at roughly 30% strength or replace the disk and the nerve might recover but it shouldnt get worse.
My thoughts are some chance is certainly better then no chance. Everyone I talk to says to live with it because they know somebody who’s worse off after the surgery.
Am I stupid for wanting to do it? They are looking to do a total disk replacement.

Thanks

 

[Poppy]

Sorry to hear big guy.

I knew of one guy 30 years ago or so that had neck surgery like that and it was a total success. He said he wished he had 10 years earlier. No others that I can think of.

I’ve known many that have had carpal tunnel and ulnar nerve (elbowish I think). All those were a win.

You gotta make the best educated decision you can for YOURSELF.

That loss of strength is pretty bad.

 

[JLee]

Thanks @Poppy!

 

[Neuro]

That loss of strength would be real tough for me to swallow. I’d say research the hell out of surgeons you have access to. With things like zocdoc and similar physician review sites available now you’re able to make a much more informed decision than you used to.

 

[Kad1]

What part or the country are you in? I can try and help find you a surgeon. I work with the rangers and giants docs so have a big network. I’d say absolutely get the surgery and the sooner the better if you want any chance of that nerve recovering. My buddy just had neck surgery up in Syracuse, went well

 

[Aude_Aliquid_Dignu]

Same to you brother.

 

[JLee]

I agree and I’m on the east coast near Boston. My surgeon is one the few that does the complete disk replacement. Everyone else does the traditional fusion. He has a decent track record for this from what I’ve read. Appreciate the offer a lot. Thank you

 

[Dirtnasty]

Nerve issues suck so much

 

[Kad1]

Ok I’m in CT. Let me make some calls