Toonces1

Hi all,

I'm scheduled to have a posterior fusion on Monday morning (C5/6). I have arm and elbow pain on the left side for about the last 8 months. I have never had any lasting numbness or tingling anywhere. This morning I woke up and just got ready as normal, but when I went to wash my face, I noticed that the fingertips on my left ring finger and pinkie were numb. I do sometimes get numbness in those fingers, but it always goes away right away when I move my arm. Today, the feeling lasted for about 6 hours, and is still there a little bit. This is different from the normal numbness, which normally just feels like the circulation got cut off. This is a very distinct "pins and needles" feeling. It is also just at the tips of my fingers. I have never had this before.

I am concerned because my doctor had said that he didn't think I had a pinched nerve, so he was just going to do the fusion, but now I'm wondering if that has changed. I would absolutely hate to have this surgery, and then end up still having a pinched nerve and need to get something else done. On the other hand, I don't want to delay the surgery for more tests. I have already delayed it for about a month. I don't know if I should call the doctor tomorrow or if I should just not worry about it and tell him on Monday morning before the surgery. I don't even know if C5/6 can cause numbness in those fingers. I do have disc tears in 6/7 and 4/5, so I supposed one of those could have herniated. My mind is going crazy!