My advise is to hold off on surgery until you experience severe pain. last year, I was suffering from severe nerve pain shooting down both shoulders. Having Parkinson's Disease and falling often, dislocating my shoulders etc., I wasn't sure if it was from my injuries incurred or what. An MRI indicated it was a pinched nerve (cervical stenosis at level 5-7). I was so fortunate to be living in
Maryland where we have great hospitals such as Hopkins, University of Md Hospital etc in Baltimore. Living on the Eastern Shore near Easton, I heard good things about a local surgeon named Dr. Kurtom who specializes in spinal surgery. I also heard he was a very conservative practitioner who believes that surgery is the last resort. My, who works in Baltimore, researched this field was pleasently surprised to tell me that Dr. Kurtom was considered the very best everywhere he looked. I went to him at once; only to hear him say he must schedule me asap for surgery. He verified the fact that he usually considers surgery as a last resort, but my case involved a very dangerous spinal cord pinching that, should I fall, it could be very devastating! I was never so pleased to consider surgery in my life! Two weeks later, I went under the knife! It is at minimum a 6-8 week recouperation period; totally worth it though. Not only has the pain subsided, but I must say that Dr. Kurtom saved me from paralysis or, perhaps dying since I had a pretty bad fall again around 3 weeks post surgery. Had it not been for my doctor recognizing the urgency of my situation, and installing a metal plate to reinforce my vertebrae, the fall would definitely have severed the cord. Praise The Lord!
So, first, make sure you pick the best surgeon in your area; if surgery is necessary, be sure to follow through with all P.T. sessions etc. Work hard on your recovery; stay positive; and go forward. Good luck with your plans!