My daughter had spinal stenosis surgery in her neck a year ago this month. They used a cage to stabilize. I think the level was C3 but not sure. She is now having same symptoms. They have put her on Gabapentin and doing therapy but her symptoms continue to evolve again. Started with pain in same region as last time, base of neck & shoulders and down to the elbow. Started 11-14. Did a plain film of the neck and did not see anything and said cage was stable, no plate or screw movement. Now has right thumb twitching and pectoral muscle on right side twitching. Tingling down right arm now. heaviness in right arm and right ring and pinky finger. Was to wait till 12-23 to order MRI but now are trying to see if insurance will cover MRI before then. Basic question if it is a re herniation of the disc, that can only be seen on MRI correct?