Again he's a Chiropractor they're holistic meaning they never recommend surgery that's what they're taught.:shrug_n: The disc was impinging on the nerve from the herniated disc. Unless his original surgeon and Manning were both lying. Once they did the partical discectomy he claims he couldnt even use his arm. They hoped that the nerve would regenerate it did not. It was then He actually had some undisclosed surgery between the the second and last surgery ( the fusion). Anything can cause inpingment so I have no idea what was causing the nerve issues without seeing his MRI. Time is of the essence when it comes to nerve impingement the longer you wait the more likely the nerve will suffer permanent damage. Again his surgeon was Dr. Watkins a pretty big name in spine surgery. The whole purpose of a fusion is correct any instability, neurological issues, and or deformity. Are there risk sure but if you have nerve issues as a result of the fusion different then those occurring before the surgery ....... You need to have them go back in asap. I'm not sure why the surgeon would tell him not to return to football. Lots of players have fusions. The fused area is actually stronger then the rest of your spine especially with instrumentation. Most surgeons tell you you can do everything you did prior to a one level cervical fusion provide the fusion has healed. So I'm not sure why your concerned, he was cleared to play by 3 separate actually 4 if you count the Broncos DRs. Will he have issues maybe, might he need a second fusion again maybe no one can predict anything and if he does need another really isn't all that big of a deal really. It not all doom and gloom your chiropractor is predicting really. I have a great life ya I'm gimpy but that has zero to do with my fusions.
~Dee~