Hi Bronco, for what it's worth, and based on my limited understanding...
The nerves do not grow back in the exact same pattern...NEW nerves can possibly start to grow, and "bypass" the nerves that have been obliterated.

It is similar to "collaterilazion" of blood supply when someone has had a heart attack. In order for the body to "compensate" for a blood vessel that has been blocked by artheriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries.blackage), the heart muscle, "knowing" that it needs a supply of blood, will start making NEW blood vessels to transport the needed blood supply, and "bypass" NATURALLY the totally clogged artery They are smaller little blood vessels, but they do supply SOME blood to the heart muscle. Sometimes, the "collaterization" of new blood vessels is just enough to keep the heart functioning a little bit better; other times, the new blood vessels aren't enough, so the patient has to go in for "Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery", where the Doctor takes a healthy blood vessel from the leg, and uses it to "bypass" the clogged artery in the heart.

On a more simplistic level, nerves act "similarly" when they try to re-establish pathways..may not be the BEST nerve supply, but it is SOME nerve supply. Or, it might be GREAT nerve supply.

So, what I noticed after I had My RF--there was a definite period of time, while the zapped nerves couldn't transport "pain impulses", that my symptoms were decreased; after a while, the sympptoms started returning. So, somehow, the "nerve-connection" got "re-wired" with new nerves being generated. My symptoms did not "worsen"-they just returned to "status-quo"...like they were before the RF. Although it was not a "permanent solution" for me, at least I had about of year of decreased symptoms, and needed FAR less blocks/meds to control things. Then, it was back to "staus quo"...so would I give up that year, if I knew BEFOREHAND that eventually, my smptoms would return? Heck no! ! BUT--that is just how MY BODY responded....everyone is DIFFERENT.

It is great that your are researching everything out that you can! That way, when you have your next vistit with your Doctor, you can discuss all your concerns, and THEN, make a decision that you feel is best for YOU.

YOU know YOUR body BEST! All we can do, is tell you how OUR bodies "reacted" to certain procedures, "good, bad or so-so"...

No "easy answers", unfortunately....

Best wishes!

Brokenwings