Hi ~ I'm really glad your doc ordered physical therapy. That's a good conservative approach, and I do hope that it helps. I'm not so sure about the traction, but it could be helpful.

I'm really concerned about the C5-6 level with the cord compression and reduction of the canal. I also don't like the suggestion of myelomalacia!. With any luck at all, the therapy will help with this, but I'm not "up" on that so I really don't know. I'll certainly pray about it !!

Of course you have other issues too, but the C5-6 is the most serious from what I can see. I wouldn't want ANY of them! I'm sorry you're having such troubles. I hope you get at LEAST 3 opinions, counting the one you already got. It's important to get them so you have different ideas on what should be done, and you can make an educated choice on what to do. But TRY to take the most CONSERVATIVE route you can take, as surgery is ONLY for mechanical problems. Surgery is NOT for pain. After surgery, you will most likely still have the same pain or worse, as you did before surgery. Plus with surgery, there is always the "domino effect" -- the levels above and below fail because they've had to take on more of the load. And that means more surgery.

So best of luck! Keep us posted, okay? God bless and take care. Hugs, Lee