I Was Involved In A Car Accident In 2/15. An

I was involved in a car accident in 2/15. An MRI completed afterwards showed minimal damage to the neck and back. I have recently had another MRI 10/16 which showed significant damage putting me in the severe range. My Rheumotologist recommended I consult with a neurosurgeon to see if I need to have back surgery. She further indicated that it may have to be completed on an emergency basis. I wanted to know if spinal stenosis and narrowing of the canals happens over time and if there is a way to tell how long the injuries have been present. I have many underlying conditions also: severe RA, Fibromyalgia, MGUS (moderate range with escalating numbers) which is monitored every 3 months, CAD, hypertension with difficulty getting it under control.