Lucille
Hi! I had the disk removed from the c5/6 part of my spine in my neck on January 18, 2001. Got rid of the pain, got range of motion back, but the numbness I had in my thumb before the surgery is still present. That may/may not go away. There could be permanent nerve damage, being that my disk was badly crushed, which was why I had the surgery. If all of the conservative methods of treatment have failed, then I suggest you do the surgery. In my case, there was no way I was going to get better w/o it. After the surgery (I had a spinal surgeon instead of a neurosurgeon perform the surgery. I was confident in my mom's DR who did her spinal fusion.You can have either do it.)I had to wear a neck collar for 2 months. I should have worn it for 3 months, because I felt better, was out of pain, did alot of activities thinking I was Superwoman, and pain returned. So I'm back wearing the collar, when I'm at home. I've begun physical therapy. Listen, I would have the surgery all over again because I was in so much pain, eating pain meds 24/7, which weren't helping, and ruining my stomach, it was awful. Now I am enduring the long road back to recovery, but it was all worth it. I have to take it easy. Good Luck!