I had cervical fusion C3-6 in 2005. A laminectomy in 2003. The lami left me with permanent damage in my right arm. When I woke up from that, my R arm simply had no control. I'd try to brush my teeth, the toothbrush would go to my ear. Trying to cut dinner or eat was awful. I can't feel things properly with my thumb and pointer finger. I don't drop stuff, I know I have SOMEthing in my hand, but to feel a fabric, I use my left hand. I get shots in my right arm because I can't feel them. I have burned myself with hot oil because I didn't know it was there.

I just use my hand as normaly as I can. I've never pursued the why behind it. I assume the neurosurgeon cut something, and it will never get better. It is numb from the incision in my neck, all the way down my arm to the finger and thumb. My Ortho spine surgeon said it may never get better, and it hasn't. And that's why I never recommend a neurosurgeon for this type of surgery, and the guy that did mine gets a rotten comment every time I hear his name.