I'm sort of new here because I've rarely posted, but quick question: can cervical disc failure cause major neck, shoulders, elbows, hands, legs and foot pain, but little numbness, or must numbness always be present to indicate the need for ADRs or fusion?
Now that I've re read your post, your question is if numbness needs to be present to indicate the need for ADR. I would say this would be a very weak reason to deny someone fusion or ADR. There should be many clinical factors that are considered by your DR. to recommend surgery. I've never heard of numbness/weakness being the one deciding factor for or against such procedures.
Hope this helps.
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2004 MRI -cervical bone spur causing pain
2011 MRI -5 bulging discs at C3-7: Recommended C5-6 and C6-7 for a two level fusion, I said no thanks.
2014 MRI -progressive compression C5-7.
MRI 6/5/14- Ruptured L4-5, bulge at L2-3 and L5-S1 Dr recommends discectomy of L4-5 but won't do surgery until cervical is stable
8/2014- 8 months/3 rounds of appeals, Aetna denies 2 level cervical ADR 
2 level ADR w/ mobi-c C5-7 Jan 7, 2015
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