Degenerative Disc Disease

I've got 3 discs in my neck fused into 1 long bone. Limiting how far I can turn my head isn't such a big deal. Coming out of surgery with my left arm turned completely off was a big deal. Months of physical therapy did get the arm and hand working again but never will be a strong or as coordinated as before.
It's crap shoot really. Some come out of neck surgery good as new and some don't.
If the pain is bad enough and nothing else helps... Roll the dice like everyone else.
Best of luck to you.
By the way, Working on cars directly is no longer doable. You would only accelerate the problems in your lower back. Yes I've had surgeries down there too.
IVRs and rally instrument panels are my way of working on cars indirectly.