--your symptoms could be related to these very common changes in the cervical spine; most of us have arthritic bone spurring and some degree of disc loss as we get into our 40's and 50's, and that disc loss makes bulging and herniation more likely. Not all age-related changes in the spine cause symptoms---many people have MRI's with lots of stuff going on, and are asymptomatic--and many with rather moderate changes have considerable symptoms.

It all depends exactly what is being compressed and where.

Can you describe your sports injury? My spinal situation does seem to be related to my long running and basketball (playing and refereeing) background. Any sport that involves start/stop running and jumping tends to put pressure on the spine as well as the legs/knees/feet.