This auto accident was traumatic enough to cause compression fractures of C7 and T1 according to your MRI results. These fractures take about eight weeks to heal. If there is no substantial damage to the discs and no compression of nerves, residual pain from these healed fractures should be minimal. That is as long as the alignment of the neck does not substantially change. With some fractures, the alignment is altered (increased kyphosis-see website) which causes dysfunction of these segments and even the ones above.
With at least five months of therapy and no significant improvement, you can consider the next step which is interventional injections, either of the facets or epidurals in the spinal canal. The specific injection depends upon your specific history and physical examination. These injections are also diagnostic (they will identify the specific pain generators if performed properly-see pain diary).
Finally, if the injections are ineffective but identify the pain generator, you might be a candidate for surgical intervention.
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.