There does not have to be spinal cord signal change present to indicate the presence of cord dysfunction and the beginnings of myelopathy. What has to be present is cord compression, symptoms of myelopathy and physical examination findings to diagnose myelopathy.
You have cord shape distortion, stenosis (narrowing of the canal-you do not reveal how severe) and symptoms of myelopathy (“disequilibrium, more evident on static standing”). Add to that physical examination findings (hyperreflexia and positive Rhomberg’s) and you could have developed myelopathy. There are typical findings that you do not present with (Hoffman’s sign) but the total findings indicate cord irritation.
You need a spine surgeon to look at you carefully. A prior MRI noting a 9mm canal fits with imaging definition of cervical stenosis-the findings needed to confirm a diagnosis of myelopathy.
Dr. Corenman
Donald Corenman, MD, DC is a highly-regarded spine surgeon, considered an expert in the area of neck and back pain. Trained as both a Medical Doctor and Doctor of Chiropractic, Dr. Corenman earned academic appointments as Clinical Assistant Professor and Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, and his research on spine surgery and rehabilitation has resulted in the publication of multiple peer-reviewed articles and two books.