Review Question - QID 5551

A 52-year-old male patient comes in complaining of neck pain and numbness that radiates into the left arm for the past 2 weeks. He denies any gait instability, and denies clumsiness or difficulty buttoning his shirts. His pain is reproduced with axial loading, maximal extension, and ipsilateral rotation of the neck. He has a negative Hoffman sign. Figure A depicts an axial cut from his cervical MRI. You recommend treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications and a short period of rest followed by gradual return to activities as symptoms allow. What is the expected outcome for this patient if he complies with your recommendations?