Conversation: The conversation between human and AI assistant.
[|Human|] I recently had a double fusion at the C4-5/5-6. I was injured in a fall 4 years ago. I continue to have left arm pain into the forearm. The pain starts inbetween my shoulder blades as a deep burning sensation. It goes up my spine into my neck and across my left shoulder into my arm. It almost feels like at times that my left hand feels colder then my right. Its a very hard sensation/pain to describe. I have always stated I think my pain starts in my thorasic spine. I had a MRI that shows a high intensity 3mm annular tear at my T7-8 moderately flattening the left ventral cord and moderately encroaching the left T7 root axillary zone. I also have the same burning sensation in my left leg into my foot. My left foot also feels colder then my right foot. I have nerve pain in my thigh and the outside of my calf muscel. I had a disectomy on my L4-5 done in March with no success. My physical therapist recently told me that she had a lady she treated with the exact same symptoms as me that also had a herniated disc at her T7-8. She had surgery and was pain free within 5weeks. Would a T7-8 herniated disc cause all these pains in both my left arm and left leg? Im only 31 years old. I was a nurse and no longer am able to work at this time. I was started on pain medications in October as I refused over the past few years because I didn t want to cover up the problem but instead fix it. I have 3 children and need my life back. Please help me! Im on Oxycotin 20mg - 3 times a day with vicodin for breakthrough pain. I can t sleep at night because of the pain and I m unable to live a normal life anymore. The pain has taken over my life. My surgeon said he can do tge thoracic surgery but I need to know if my symptoms are related to the T7-8 herniation. Thank you!
[|AI|]  Hi, I can understand your concern, and I can see how painful it has been for you throughout that too at such a young age. Now let me explain you, the pain in the hand and leg are of different origin, and both will need different tackling. There is herniation in the thoracic disc and if it is so severe that you need regular Chat Doctor.  Moreover after surgery regular exercises and lifestyle modification as advised by your surgeon will be must follow if you want to prevent other discs getting painful. All the best, hope you heal soon