Trapped nerve between C6 and 7

[Matthew Johnstone]

Hi

I'm new to the forum [sm=cat.gif]

My partner has a trapped nerve/disc herniation between C6 and C7. He's had it for over a year but was misdiagnosed initially as his only symptom was agonising pain in left shoulder blade. But since then he has developed weakness and numbness in his left arm and hand, wastage of the tricep and discomfort in the neck, shoulder and arm/hand. The neurologist he initially saw referred him to orthopaedic surgeon for a spinal fusion, but since then (on waiting list for 4 months just to see surgeon!) the pain has gone but the numbness and weakness is still there. The surgeon says he probably has permanent nerve damage as he has had the numbness so long and, from what we've read, spinal fusion is not a good thing to have done due to putting more pressure on adjacent discs, complications etc etc. Surgeon now seems hesitant to do the fusion as the pain has gone. He's having some chiropractic treatment which is helping to a degree but still in a lot of discomfoft, unable to lift arms, swim etc without aggravating it and not sure what other options there are. Waiting to see the surgeon again and wondering if anyone else has had similar experiences. He's also tried reflexology, spiritual healing, osteopathy, physio, acupuncture. Disc replacement looks like a slightly better option but don't know if it's available on the nhs in our area. Although he's not in terrible pain he is very limited in what he can do without making it worse.

Any advice/help would be appreciated.

Thanks

Marie