Jim - I can't speak for your situation or what you had done but I do know it takes awhile for nerves to heal/regrow. They need to reestablish connections. I had surgery to relieve a nerve compression on the nerves affecting my right arm. Prior to surgery, I had lost the use of the hand (visible atrophy set in along with other symptoms) and couldn't use the arm for anything. It took about a year for me to regain use of the hand but longer than that before all symptoms disappeared.

What have the doctor(s) said regarding your long-term prognosis?

Have you tried acupuncture? I have a problem at C5/C6 that will need surgery soon. It flares occassionally and causes my thumbs to go numb along with other symptoms. I stumbled on my currect acupuncturist after my thumb had been numb for almost two months. He reversed it with a couple of sessions.