Ok, for an update... Nerve is still pinched by the hemorrhaged disc between my C5 and C6 vertebrae at the base of my neck, and is going to require surgery. This nerve in particular runs across my shoulder and goes down the outer edge of my arm (in the brachial plexus area).

I had a cervical cortisone epidural 3 days ago which really helped with the pain (and let me stop taking the 4 to 5 vicoden a day) but that is only temporary relief and does nothing to correct the problem, especially since the problem isn't due to inflammation and is physical contact with a bad disc.

The surgery I need is a minimally invasive posterior cervical foraminotomy, and the neurosurgeon that I've been seeing that does this is out of network so I'm having to fight with my insurance to get the surgery with him approved. Blue cross is saying there is an in network surgeon that does that surgery and I have to go to him, but they fail to realize it is a different procedure. The one they want me to use does do a posterior cervical foraminotomy, but not minimally invasive... he makes about a 3 to 4 inch cut down my neck and retracts the muscles out of the way and requires numerous staples to close up vs the one I want makes one tiny incision and goes in with a scope and only needs 4 or 5 stitches. There is about a 2 month difference in healing time before I can return to work with these two different procedures as well... Damn I hate my insurance right now...

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X5 pics

RIP 4.6is.....

2003 4.6is