[jakatak]

Does anyone have a recommendation for a neuro surgeon in the Twin Cities? I don't know if using the Saunder's Traction deal is going to be enough to reduce the swelling in the C5/C6 area. The numbness in the thumb and the pain in the shoulder...down the arm....it's worse than the PN in my feet. I've had a bad back most of my life, but I've never had the constant numbness that I am now experiencing. I just am so concerned about surgery. I have not had good experiences with the knife.

[Sheri_TOS]

Jakatak - No suggestion on a NS in the Twin Cities area but hang in there. You may be in a flare and can get it settled down with a cortisone shot. You sound like I did two years ago before my chiropractor suggested I try a different physiatrist (others told me there was nothing they could do and to deal with the pain). This physiatrist was willing to do a cortisone shot in the neck and it worked. The thumb numbness was still there a month later and I tried acupuncture. 2-3 visits is all it took for the numbness to disappear.

[jakatak]

Originally Posted by Sheri_TOS

Jakatak - No suggestion on a NS in the Twin Cities area but hang in there. You may be in a flare and can get it settled down with a cortisone shot. You sound like I did two years ago before my chiropractor suggested I try a different physiatrist (others told me there was nothing they could do and to deal with the pain). This physiatrist was willing to do a cortisone shot in the neck and it worked. The thumb numbness was still there a month later and I tried acupuncture. 2-3 visits is all it took for the numbness to disappear.

I already had to epidural injections...they took away the radiating pain...but it just returned. I'm sure it is due to the bulging disc in my neck. I've had sciatica in my leg...it settled down...but this one is really tricky.