I had surgery for this. I really did not want to. Went to several doctors before making my decsion. Elected for an older surgery - from the rear of my neck.They did a lamenectomy, framentectomy discectomy! Sounds really weird, but it really means that my doctor drilled a small hole in the lamina (covering of the spinal column) and went in through the back of my neck (painful incision) and removed the part of the disk that was pushing on the nerve going down my arm. This procedure, though more outdated, avoids removing the entire disk and the need for plates and screws and the fusion.

It was a success, as I have very little, if any, pain. And I can now feel and use my right arm and hand again!

The only draw back - I got a staph infection from the surgery. This had nothing to do with the procedure, but this is a very bad thing to happen in any hospital. I was extrememly sick for 3-4 months.

I am glad I had the surgery, but if had listened to the first few docs, I would have screws and plates in my neck and possibly a bone fusion with bone from my hip!!! No thanks!

Best of luck.