Brief Answer:
Read below

Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I am sorry about the distress you are in.

In terms of diagnosis your history and the mri make things pretty clear, your symptoms are due to nerve root compression in the setting of spinal changes due to the fusion and inflammation and muscle spasms due to the injury. Fusion means two vertebrae being born attached to each other. It limits mobility of the spine and puts other parts of the spine in increased strain, so it makes you a person prone to spinal issues.

Regarding management the first step is a cervical collar, anti-inflammatory pain killers like Ibuprofen, muscle relaxants like flexeril and physical therapy. If those are not enough epidural injections with steroids and anesthetics under the guidance of imaging are the next step. Surgery is used only as a last resort if the above do not work.

I remain at your disposal for other questions.

---

Brief Answer:
Read below

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for the additional information.

I am sorry about how you're feeling, I understand how confusing it must sound. The thing is the supporting system including the spine, the ribs, the scapula, the muscles are all interconnected meaning a disruption in one of them puts the rest in added strain and predisposes them to injury. Damage to the vertebrae does affect the normal position and load ofn the rest of the spine, nerve root compression is also associated with inflammation and muscle spasms.

So, while I don't have the luxury of examining you myself, I do not find it very surprising that the initial muscle strain with muscle spasms from the trauma coupled with the damage to the vertebrae with nerve pinching and additional effect on muscle spasm lead to your symptoms. The rib may be additionally affected as well.

In terms of management for now it doesn't change much from what I said before, the only difference being that I would limit myself to the first step for now since the issues seem not to be focused on one single site. The injections or surgery should be reserved only if the pinched nerve is thought to be a main contributor to the clinical picture (that is evaluated from nerve compression signs and nerve conduction studies). Gradually with physical therapy you should experience improvement.

I hope to have been of help.Thank you for the additional information.

I am sorry about how you're feeling, I understand how confusing it must sound. The thing is the supporting system including the spine, the ribs, the scapula, the muscles are all interconnected meaning a disruption in one of them puts the rest in added strain and predisposes them to injury. Damage to the vertebrae does affect the normal position and load ofn the rest of the spine, nerve root compression is also associated with inflammation and muscle spasms.

So, while I don't have the luxury of examining you myself, I do not find it very surprising that the initial muscle strain with muscle spasms from the trauma coupled with the damage to the vertebrae with nerve pinching and additional effect on muscle spasm lead to your symptoms. The rib may be additionally affected as well.

In terms of management for now it doesn't change much from what I said before, the only difference being that I would limit myself to the first step for now since the issues seem not to be focused on one single site. The injections or surgery should be reserved only if the pinched nerve is thought to be a main contributor to the clinical picture (that is evaluated from nerve compression signs and nerve conduction studies). Gradually with physical therapy, muscle relaxants and antiinflammatory pain killers you should experience improvement.

I hope to have been of help.

---