PERMANENT SPINAL IMPAIRMENT AND CLINICAL INSTABILITY

PERMANENT SPINAL IMPAIRMENT AND CLINICAL INSTABILITY- ARTICLE

             By Matthew J. DeGaetano, DC and Steve Baek, DC
Certified in Whiplash and Brain Traumatology
Certified Colossus Consultant

Trauma, especially if it’s related to motor vehicles has led to varied ailments, which remain undiagnosed or poorly diagnosed at times. Whiplash is characterized by acceleration / deceleration; this abnormal movement results in a variety of injuries, which include ligament trauma like that of Anterior & Posterior longitudinal ligament, Alar ligament, facet joint trauma, disk trauma etc. The ligaments, the muscles and the small joints form a system, which offers stability to the entire spine. Any injury or pathology of this system is a major threat to the stability of the spine. This condition in which the spine fails to maintain its normal displacement pattern under physiological loads is termed as clinical instability. 

Clinical instability induced by trauma predisposes the spine to degenerative pathological conditions that promote osteophyte formation, which stabilize the joint in the future. White and Panjabi have done extensive work in this field. They have devised criteria for the evaluation or assessment and diagnosis of a case of clinical instability and various clinical tests have been put forth by stalwarts of this field. Panjabi has put forth a point value system for the diagnosis of clinical instability. He allotted 2 points to the lesion or loss of function of the anterior structure of the spine, 2 points to the posterior structure and 4 points to the radiographic criteria, 3 points to the damage of the cauda equina and 2 points to intervertebral translation observed at resting, flexion-extension radiographs and 2 points to the rotation at the sagittal plane and has also allotted a point to dangerous loading on the spine. He concluded that, cases having a total of more than 5 points qualify for clinical spinal instability.  

While clinical instability is accompanied with lower back pain, stiffness or muscle spasm or painful locking up of the spine, spinal impairment on the other hand is associated with sensory and motor deficits. Based on the level of trauma and the damage, various evaluation methods have been proposed. The Diagnosis Related Estimates or the DRE, proposed by the American Medical Association is an important guideline for evaluation. It focuses on etiology, radiculopathies, motion segment alterations and disk herniations and stenosis of varying degrees. The ROM method of assessment is an easy step by step guidance for assessment. Measuring the range of motion of the affected spine is followed by classifying it into a specific pathology and then followed by noting the nerve deficits. The inference from all these is combined and a logical diagnosis is arrived.

The American Spinal Injury Association has graded the varying degrees of spinal impairment. Grade A being the most severe, refers to a condition of complete spinal injury with both motor and sensory deficits with loss of function in S4 and S5. Grade B refers to incomplete spinal injury, where sensory function is preserved and motor function is lost. Grade C refers to an incomplete spinal injury, where the muscle grade is less than 3. Active movement of muscles with full range of motion of joints against the gravity is preserved. In grade D motor function below neural level is preserved and a muscle grade of more than 3 is present, and grade E is a near normal condition with no possibility of a spinal injury.

While, clinical instability does not involve sensory or motor deficits, it leads to minor disabilities, which affect the activities of daily living. Chronic low back pain with muscle guarding and unwillingness to attempt any unusual movement or exercise has a negative impact on the quality of life. On the other hand, advanced cases of spinal impairment pose greater threat to life and permanent disabilities.

 

Car Crash? Neck and Back Pain?

www.SteveBaekDC.com

Car Crash? Neck and Back Pain?

    Were you in a car accident? Do you have pain?  Thoughts cross your mind and you begin to ask:”will this pain last FOREVER? , What should I do?”

You are not alone in having those thoughts. Now, what if you had a specialist who could help you understand what to do with your injuries: wouldn’t you want to know? If you do, then you will be excited to read the rest of what I have here.

Now go to (www.AutoInjuryDC.com) and you’ll find easy to read information on:

ü    Constant Pain From Whiplash Injury

ü    Neck Injuries And The Acceleration of Neck Arthritis

ü    Visual disturbances

ü    Healing Time For Injured Soft Tissues

ü    Problems With Pain Medicines

ü    Understanding Whiplash Injury

ü    And much, much more…

“To better understand whiplash injury and treatment, answer these 3 questions:

1. What tissues are injured in a motor vehicle collision?
2. What tissues are the primary sources for chronic spinal pain?
3. Can these injuries last the rest of my life?

The injuries to the spine and joints, are often debilitating”… “Consequently, it is inevitable that some whiplash-injured patients will develop a LIFE TIME OF CHRONIC PAIN and a personal injury specialist is the best to manage these injuries.”… Says Dr. Matthew DeGaetano (National Speaker on Whiplash & Personal Injury)

Courtesy of Blue Spring Chiropractic
Steve Baek DC

9701 S. Tacoma Way Lakewood WA 98499
1627 S. 312^th St. #B Federal Way WA 98003

(253)588-8340

www.SteveBaekDC.com

Cervical Acceleration Deceleration injuries sustain is greater

Studies have indicated that CAD (Cervical Acceleration Deceleration) injuries sustained while the injured’s head is rotated are more severe than those sustained when the head is in a forward facing position in relation to the force applied. Furthermore, the injury is greater on the side the head was rotated to.

Dr. Croft Guideline on Car Accident: Grade of Severity

Based on reference which is the acceleration/deceleration syndrome as a Croft reference Dr. Croft describes duration of treatment by grade of severity. It shows treatment duration that Grade 1: < 11weeks, Grade 2: < 29weeks, Grade 3: <56 weeks. Grade 1 defines minimal; no limitation of motion, no ligament injury. Grade 2 defines slight; limitation of motion, no ligament injury, no neurological findings. Grade 3 defines moderate; limitation of motion, ligament injury, neurological finding my present. Grade 4 defines moderate to severe; limitation of motion, ligament injury, neurological finding present; fracture or disc derangement.

Stages of Injury
Stage I	Acute;   Inflammatory phase; Up to 72 hours
Stage II	Subacute;   Repair phase; 72 hours to 14 weeks
Stage III	Remodeling phase;   14 weeks to 12 months or more
Stage IV	Chronic; Permanent

Table 12.4
Treatment Adjuncts in Cervical Acceleration/Deceleration Trauma
Modality	Stage I	Stage II	Stage III	Stage IV
Cervical pillow	All grades	All grades	All grades	All grades
Cervical collars
– Rigid	Grades III-V 1,2	Grades III-V 1,2	——–	——–
– Soft	Grades II and III 1,2	——–	——–	——–
Home traction	——–	Grades II-IV 2	Grades II-IV	Grades II-IV
Home exercise	——–	Grades II-IV 2	Grades II-IV 2,3	——–
Ice	All grades	All grades	As needed	——–
Vit/min. suppl.	All grades	All grades	All grades	Recommended
DTM 4	Grades II-IV	Grades II-IV	As needed	——–

¹ See text for indications.

² Unless contraindicated.

³ Grade V after surgery.

⁴ Deep tissue massage.