[LOOKIELOO]

Here's a brief history. In January 2012 I was rear-ended while stopped at a red light. I was left with a concussion (from which I'm still having problems) and damage / injury to my cervical spine. Since the accident I've tried all the conservative treatments including injections, acupuncture, physical therapy, heat, cold, pain medications and muscle relaxants plus all the tests. I've been seen by 4 Orthopedic Surgeons, 2 pain management doctors and 2 Neurosurgeon.

My neck has been in constant pain since the accident the only thing that changes is the intensity, the pain medications and heat help, but they only make the pain bearable (most times). In the beginning it was only sharp pain, stiffness and burning, but in September I started having pains in my left arm and wrist with loss of strength, numbness and loss of feeling in my hand and fingers. .

In October one of the Orthopedic surgeons recommended a 2-3 level fusion at c4/5, c5/6, and c6/7. His demeanor made me uncomfortable so I walked out and I've since had a 2nd, 3rd and 4th opinion and the one thing they agree on is that c4/5 has to be fused. The surgeon that I finally settled on has given me a month to basically wrap my head around the inevitable surgery, so I'm probably looking at surgery in late June or July.

That leads me here, I found this wonderful forum after the first doctor suggested surgery, I've learned a lot and It's great to hear stories from people who actually understand some of what I'm feeling. I wanted a chance to tell my story and get any suggestion or feedback from the great people on this site.

A little about me I'm in my early forties, my job recently retired me on full disability and besides the injuries from this accident I also have a partially torn ligament in my right ankle, numbness and loss of feeling and strength in my right hand and wrist, 4 herniated discs in my back that affects both my legs and feet, plus I had surgery to repair a full thickness tear in my right rotator cuff all from a injury a work.

Since this was so brief I'll add the info from my most recent MRI next.