[Harp-L] Neck Injury

[Mick Zaklan <mzaklan@xxxxxxxxx>]

   I'm recently retired, coming off a neck operation that included the
C-6.  My thumb and and pointing finger (left hand) had gone numb and I lost
considerable arm strength on that side.  The operation restored most of my
strength but the fingers are still numb.  Apparently the disks thin out and
occasionally clamp down on the nerves that control that side as we get
older.  I don't think it has anything to do with harmonica trills.  My job
included a lot of heavy lifting and I think that played a part in it.
   They sent me to therapy for several months and that didn't help.  They
gave me three epidurals, two of them gave me temporary relief.  Finally
they had to go in with cadaver bones and titanium screws and build a new
passage for the nerve to exit through.  Hopefully, therapy will cure your
problem.  They told me 60-70% of the time that does the trick.

Mick Zaklan