Saw the specialist. The bulging disk is compressing the C5-6 nerve root and may be causing very slight pressure on the spinal cord. Not good.
We are going to try a "conservative" treatment option first, if that doesn't bring relief, he is likely to recommend disc removal and fusion.
I will do what I have to do for my long term health but I wanted to ask the forum if any of you are aware of FP umpires who have been able to continue working after cervical fusion surgery.
I particularly wonder about the neck angle when I go into my plate crouch. I work games down to the 10s and 12s level and I have to get low in the crouch and flex my neck backward to get a level eye angle to the pitcher.
Maybe this will be my gateway into slo-pitch for the rest of my career.
Mike
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