If it makes any difference to you, I also have a bulge at t5/6. An osteopathic did it to me when he manipulated my back. I have had mild pain for 5 years but got in a car accident in March and got whiplash which caused pins and needles and pain all over. I also had a band of pain around my chest. I am better now but and was told my bulge is very mild and things will settle. I am also dealing with a bulge in L5/6 causing double sided sciatica. I also had open spine surgery last February. Not fun at all. The only advice I can give you is to be certain your disc is herniated AND causing spinal compression AND causing your symptoms before they operate. Numbness can be caused by many things. Do you have any numbness in face or head? Or is it all below T5? I also wish you the very best of luck with this.
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Also how many years have you had numbness and tingling?

I believe (as I construe it, and mommyof2grls will have to verify/correct my interpretation) that this is a spinal herniation - a herniation of the cord itself - rather than a herniated disc impinging on the cord.

Folks here know how conservative I am about surgey. I think this may be one that is warranted; damage has already been done with a very poor prognosis if not corrected.

mommyof2grls, if you're the 4th patient to have this procedure (does that mean 4th currently in line, 4th by this surgeon, at this hospital, in this country, or ever?), there may not be very much available online to non-professionals. You may be able to get a pointer from the surgeon or ask your PCP to find something for you (they have access to sources we, as patients, don't).

I do find some articles by searching: spinal herniation surgery -disc -disk
(the "-disc -disk" eliminates results for disc herniation)

HTH,

Doc

I have always had numbing in my finger toes and feet PROBABLY SINCE MY 20'S