Rocker Jon Levin's musical career is on hold as the guitarist recovers from drastic surgery to cure painful nerve damage in his arm.

The Dokken star began losing sensation in his left arm so he took the decision to have the life-changing operation, which involved removing a rib.

Levin will not be able to play for at least four to five months but his bandmates have vowed to wait for his health to improve before heading on the road again.

Frontman Don Dokken tells Rich Davenport's Rock Show, "Jon had to have surgery on his arm. It's pretty serious. He had some nerve damage on his left arm and he won't be able to play for four or five months. They actually took out a rib and had to cut into his shoulder and his neck and it was pretty serious.

"He was losing the feeling in his hand and it was painful, so he had to have surgery. So Jon and I talked. Jon Levin has been in the band 10 years now. We're gonna probably be both be playing guitar on the next tour. I think it will sound bigger and fuller with two guitars."