Yeah, gotta love doctors.
There is a test for nerves. It probably would wreak havoc on your stimulator, but they send signals down the nerves by sticking needles in you and running current through them. It used to be a painful, 4-hour ordeal, but it isn't as bad now as it used to be. I think the last time it took 15-20 minutes, and was basically just annoying. Using this method, they were able to determine which nerves were severed and where. I had numerous locations, and my nerves were basically in sections--some as short as 3 inches. As I recall, they would tweak the controls on their device and control my arm and fingers.
Another possible alternative is deadening. They can deaden particular nerves, rather than an area. When they deaden the nerve that is feeling pain, they should know where to look for the problem.
Since you're so active, you probably don't have this, but sometimes people get calcium deposits on their spine, which pinches nerves. Basically, just suffer through it. I don't remember much more about it, except that it took several weeks to recede.
Of course, I'm no medical person. I'm just spitballing. I have no idea what these things cost, but I ran up huge medical bills.
