Hello, I am a 57 year old male who has exercised all my life. I look much younger and my energy level is not much different than 25 years ago actually. Candidly, I have probably had some level of denial about the aging process in general. 2 months ago I was having pain in my upper back and radiating pain down my right arm. I had been swimming roughly 2 miles a day, 4 to 5 days per week using an improper breathing technique and I was also doing flip turns incorrectly. The combination of these improper techniques probably exasperated the condition I learned of shortly thereafter.
I had an MRI in mid February in response to this pain and the results showed that I have spinal cord compression at C-4-C-5 with an abnormal cord signal. I have seen two surgeons, one an Orthopedic spine surgeon and the other a Nuerosurgeon and neither recommended surgery because I have no motor function issues. They did agree that I have a congenitally small spinal passage way. My Spine Rhab physician says I have slight indications of myelopathy such as a positive Hoffman's sign and strength of a 4 in some areas. I have changed my swimming technique and I now have almost no pain in my neck and the pain in my arm is virtually gone as well 90% of the time? I now have more of a tightness in my right deltoid from time to time depending on my neck position. I have made other lifestyle changes as well, mostly dealing with how I move my neck. I occasionally have tingling in my hands, or feet; yet it is usually when I have been sitting on my foot for example, or putting pressure on a part of my body. Now that I have this diagnosis, I find myself trying to evaluate whatever sensations I have. The reality is besides the occasional tightness in my neck and arm, I feel as good as ever. My concern is obviously the MRI, no one is recommending surgery they are just telling me to let them know if I begin to have problems using my hands, or walking etc. they say if those sympotoms begin I will need surgery. I feel much better than I did 2 months ago; yet I am worried about the potential loss of Nuerological functions. I am continuing to swim 2 miles, or so 4 days a week and I feel best after swimming. I also am seeing a PT for neck exercises. I know have the negative potentials of cord compression, an abnormal signal and a small spinal passageway hanging over my mentality, even though physically I feel as good as ever. I believe I have had the pain in my neck and arm on and off for years following a collision I had playing basketball 25 years ago. Does anyone have any suggestions, or insight of any type. Thank you