Hi Rheannon,

In no way do I mean to diminish your concerns or feelings; we all want to be/feel entirely whole and well. But speaking only for myself (years of intractable pain from stenosis at c5-c7, severe spinal arthritis, bone spurs) and possibly echoing what your doctor said, I think I'd trade numbness for my pain in a heartbeat. Maybe that's just a little venting of my own coming through.

I agree with Leesa; it sounds like some local nerves were damaged/cut in the process of the surgery. Depending on which (damaged or cut) regeneration may be possible, and I guess I'd focus on that - supplements to promote nerves, massage/treatments to improve local circulation, etc. to see if there's any improvement. Nerves heal/grow slowly, so it could take some time.

Since you didn't mention pain, I'm inferring that it is no longer an issue (or less of one). Please don't let the numbness overshadow or diminish that victory!

Doc