Tangled Knots in Hair

After being sick, I find that my long hair (fine and wavy) got very tangled. One area worse than the rest. I followed the routine of using conditioner and spray-on detangler and carefully working a wide-tooth comb through from the bottom. This worked for areas except the worse -- I now have 2 large knots in that area. It almost seems the conditioner and spray have made it worse as this area has turned into the 2 large TIGHT knots. The knots are quite tight and I don't know what to do. My local hair salon suggested cutting it -- but I am afraid I may have to cut all of my hair short OR HAVE A BIG GAP! Any help?

I feel your pain. I spent 3 days flat on my back in a hospital bed - with a braid - the underneath of my hair at the nape was a total mess.

I soaked it in rich conditioner, and started combing- I used a widetooth comb to get most of the ruffles out, and then started on the knotty bits.
After I couldn't do anymore with the wide tooth, I used a medium toothed comb, and despite my best efforts, did lose some hair. When the medium wasn't working any more, I used the finest tooth comb I had - and lost a little more.
I considered it worth it to lose some strands rather than cut out the whole underneath of my hair.

Hope it all comes right in the end :)
Gren