instruction: hi doctor I had an mri last year which indicated a herniated disc and stenosis at ca left so I had cervical surgery acdf still had pain for a couple of months and the mri showed to my dismay that I still had stenosis with displacement of the ca nerve root also it showed that c5 ca protruding disc and partial corresponding osteophyte with no nerve root displacement or stenosis at c5 ca before two months I elected to go with a posterior cervical foraminotomy and was told the ca nerve was then released four days after my second surgery my thumb went completely numb on the top half and has stayed that way the thumb is normally associated with the ca the surgeon told me that sometimes radiculopathy overlaps and I just have to live with this doctor did not want to follow up with an mri I thought at least an mri should be done just to confirm why the numbness may be there can you please advise
output: hi for further information consult a spine health specialist online