I had an acute flareup in Oct 2014. By early Dec when I had MRI had developed significant pain and strength loss (approx 15-20%) in my right arm, shoulder, pec, accompanied by shooting pain/strobing nerve tingling across pec and tricep, severe pain under right shoulderblade, had lost sensation in index finger and partial ring finger and some grip strength.
By the time I got in w/ specialist in early March my symptoms had begun receding. I continued to train but was limiting the overhead work. He noted a slight difference in mass and strength but stated I was not a surgical candidate. By end of Summer 2015 I had regained most of my former strength - about a 9 month ordeal.
With degenerative disk it is more common to reabsorb smaller bits that fall off and impinge on the nerve, and that's what ultimately happened. A larger chunk or more severe/worsening symptoms could have justified surgery. He also told me that it takes months of partial nerve blockage to cause permanent nerve death to a given motor unit.
That said I still have maybe half or less the sensation in my index finger and I don't believe it's coming back ever. I've lost maybe 5% strength on my right side, and I can add about 7-10 pushups to my AMRAP just by keeping my chin elevated/facing forward as I exercise.
Important to note that we do not have the same diagnosis, and even so this sort of thing is pretty individual. But I would follow medical advice, follow PT advice, use cervical traction if recommended, do whatever mobility and strength work that is recommended. If at all indicated, continue to do some strength work to fire whatever nerves are still functioning at whatever capacity they still possess. I managed by restricting overhead work but isometrics are another avenue, possibly a better one.
Whatever you can get away with that is not contrary to medical advice will pay off as your symptoms recede or are resolved through surgical intervention etc. It was hard work getting back on line with a lot of high intensity effort, but there is plenty of reason to hope for a good outcome and restoration of most of your functionality.
If possible get multiple opinions, research what the implications and success rate are for the medical interventions being discussed, and work as hard as the Dr/PT will allow - you might not even need surgery. Stay positive - your situation definitely sucks right now but is far from hopeless (and far from uncommon!) no matter what route this thing takes.
Best of luck,
Martin