Hey, Jim. I show up as a junior member, but I was on this forum back in '98 before cervie surgery. (I'm now into the new peripheral neuropathy saga). Just a word of hope - I had my cervical surgery because I was in intractable pain - had it done in 1999.

I have to say recovery was slow, pain wise, and up until 2007 I was still having injections into the neck, but they became fewer and further between, until now, I have gone 2 years without one.

I know you are talking about function, but I am adding my two pennies here to tell you, yes, I believe the nerves can regenerate and your body can heal over time - it is not necessarily a long, downward spiral.

Best of Luck