have you actually had an MRI done to REALLY just 'see' the inner column much more clearly? this would give you and your doc a much much more in depth and clearer picture of just what else may be being affected within that spinal column which would NOT actually even show upon plain x ray. you also NEED to see how deeply that fracture goes itself and what IT may also be affecting. x ray can show herniations really well but it simply cannot show the true areas of where the actual pain generators would be, within that column. you just really do need much deeper evaluation of that injured area and what it surrounding it too to really know the true extent of involvement with spinal nerves and the cord too. an x ray will only show so much, once you actually find a problem with using it,it really is the next best step to just look deeper into any possible problem area with a much deeper scan. in your particular case, i would not settle for anything less than a full spinal MRI WITH contrast just to better highlight areas that don't always get picked up as well when without it. you simply DO need to know the full extent of your problems so they can be delt with more appropriately. i do wish you lots of luck with this and hope that things are not too bad or deep. please keep us posted, Marcia