"Matt Whiting" wrote

They all recommended against surgery until one of these happened:
1. The numbness progressed to more than my toes and top of foot
2. Loss of muscle strength/control occured
3. The pain became unbearable.

There is one thing that they have not told you yet, and if I were you, I
would ask about it.

If you go too long with pain and numbness in your foot, or any other part,
even if the surgery is done and is successful, the pain and numbness can
become a permanent thing. Once nerve damage proceeds to a certain point,
the nerve will not recover, even when the pressure is taken off of it.

That is the situation I am in. There are also other issues with me, though,
and I have been told that I will have to live with it. The doctor will sign
for me to get job and social security disability any time I say I am read.
Right now, I can't afford it. I'm not even 48 yet.
--
Jim in NC