The Spine for Lawyers. Aba Medical-Legal Guides

Description

Injuries involving the spine are the most common compensation claims in the United States. Statistically, problems with the lower back are the second leading cause of missed time from work and one of the leading reasons people visit orthopedic and neurosurgeons. And sprains and strains of the neck are the most frequently reported problem made to insurance companies. Eighty percent of people will suffer from back pain during their lifetime that is unrelated to trauma, and multiple studies demonstrate that these injuries often resolve themselves within three months of the incident it is not hard to understand why injuries to the spine are so controversial and turn on questions of credibility. The problem, however, is much more complicated. No diagnostic test can verify a soft tissue injury, nor can it show a picture of pain. While an MRI can demonstrate a herniated disc and other structural abnormalities, it is difficult to age" the finding, and relating it to an incident of trauma is a matter of opinion and not fact. ABA Medical-Legal Guides: The Spine for Lawyers is designed to help practitioners, judges and insurance professionals understand the multifaceted medical and legal issues in a claim involving this part of the human anatomy. This book is divided into three thorough segments and covers:

An Overview of Anatomy
The Skeletal System
The Muscular Systems
The Nervous System

The Back
The Neck
Spinal Cord Injuries
Diagnostic Imaging of the Back
Pain
Myofascial Pain and Trigger Points
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
Waddell's Signs

The Orthopedic Medical Examination
The Orthopedic Doctor as Expert Witness
How to Understand Medical Records
The Physician as Expert Witness

Containing more than 200 illustrations and photos, The Spine is an indespensable guide to understanding the medical issues facing your clients

Authors

Samuel D. Hodge, Jr., Esquire, a skilled litigator, is chair of the department of legal studies at Temple University. Professor Hodge teaches both law and anatomy and lectures nationally on anatomy and trauma.

Jack E. Hubbard, PhD, MD, is an adjunct professor of Neurology at the University of Minnesota School of Medicine. Dr. Hubbard is in private practice with the Minneapolis Clinic of Neurology and is board certified in both neurology and pain medicine.