Left arm Tingling, Left index finger nunb, Left Arm

Left arm Tingling, Left index finger nunb, Left Arm

Q:

Age: 56 Sex: M

I've taken my MRI to two different Dr's.
1st said I needed to have disc removed and bone spurs removed and have a Prestige Cervical Disc between C5 and C6

2nd Dr. said I needed disc removed and bone spurs removed and Fusing of Discs C3-C4 and Discs C6-C7

I'm very confused at this point

Initally I was in severe pain, pain has abated, sporadic numbness and continual weakness in left arm remain.
My left tricep is significantly withered compaired to my right

Thanks, T.

-- Tommy

A:

I would get a third opinion from a non surgical spine specialist, ie, physicial medicine and rehabilitation or physiatrist.
Unless you have progressive neurologic loss, in general, it is best to go with the least invasive treatment. Surgery for pain often causes more pain, though this is not always the case.

-- Sherman Nam Tran, M. D.

to ask Dr. Tran.