I had neck surgery on March 12 for a significant c5 herniation. I am 37 and this is my second neck surgery. I had my first in 07 with the same surgeon for 3 herniations including this c5 as well. 07 surrey was great woke up all symptoms were gone life was good. This surgery was a nightmare. Ended up with a second surgery due to significant infection Staph, ended up with a picc line well two because I developed blood clots in both arms. So no home on oral meds. My concern is the pain in my left arm was gone as soon as I woke up from surgery but the numbness in my upper left arm , an area on lower outer left forearm and thumb and index finger are still numb. Is the normal at this time? At first post op appt. before the infection the surgeon seemed very concerned but then i think when the infection started and everything else it has just been blamed on inflammation.