Explaining CRMA Results to Attorneys: A Guide for Chiropractors

Introduction

Understanding the Basics of Spinal Injuries

Before diving into attorney communication, it's critical to have a firm grasp of spinal injuries:

1. The Spine’s Structure: The spine consists of two primary components—bone and connective tissue.
2. Types of Spinal Injuries:
   
   1. Bone (Fracture): Identified via X-ray or CT.
   2. Disc (Herniations): Identified via MRI.
   3. Non-Disc Ligaments: Damage causes excessive motion and instability, detected through CRMA.
3. Spinal Instability: Defined as the spine’s inability to maintain proper alignment, leading to pain, nerve conditions, or other symptoms.
   
   By mastering this foundational knowledge, you’ll be better equipped to explain findings to anyone, including attorneys.
   
   

Why CRMA™ Results Matter in Legal Cases

• Confirm Injury Causes: Demonstrating that injuries were caused by an accident and not pre-existing conditions.
• Support Prognoses: Highlighting the long-term implications of ligament injuries.
• Guide Treatment Plans: Assisting in referrals for pain management, surgical consults, or other care as needed.
  
  

Step-by-Step: Explaining CRMA Results to Attorneys

1. Start with the Basics
Attorneys often have minimal medical knowledge, so begin with simple explanations. For example:

"The spine is made of bone and connective tissue. When it’s injured, the damage is either a fracture, a disc herniation, or ligament damage causing excessive motion. In this case, the CRMA test revealed significant ligament damage at C2-C3 and C3-C4."

2. Highlight the Findings

Provide measurable data and explain its significance:

"At C2-C3, there’s 3.7 millimeters of translation, and at C3-C4, there’s a 13-degree angular finding. These are surgical-level injuries, indicating severe ligament damage and instability."

3. Connect the Findings to the Patient’s Condition

Explain how the CRMA results correlate with the patient’s symptoms:

"This type of instability can cause chronic pain, nerve irritation, headaches, or even symptoms that mimic mild traumatic brain injury. Stabilizing the condition is critical to improving the patient’s quality of life."

4. Address the Legal Implications

Attorneys need to understand how these findings support their case:

"These injuries are consistent with the forces from the accident and not a pre-existing condition. The ligament damage proves that the force didn’t selectively target a single disc—it caused widespread tissue damage."

5. Outline the Treatment Plan

Provide a high-level overview of your approach:

"We’ll start by stabilizing the condition through chiropractic care. If the facets don’t calm down, I may refer the patient for pain management or an MRI to rule out additional injuries like disc involvement. I’ll keep you updated on their progress and any necessary referrals."

6. Offer Reassurance and Collaboration

Attorneys appreciate proactive communication and clarity:

"If you have questions or need more information, feel free to call me. I’ll ensure you have everything you need to support your client’s case."

Example Case Scenario

Here’s how you might handle a call with an attorney:

"Hi Dan, this is Dr. Cronk. I’m treating your client Mary Jo. Her CRMA results show significant ligament damage at C2-C3 and C3-C4, qualifying as surgical-level instability. I’ve started a stabilization program and may refer her for pain management or additional imaging if necessary. These findings confirm that her injuries are consistent with the accident and not pre-existing. Let me know if you have any questions."

This direct, concise communication demonstrates your expertise and builds trust with the attorney.

Why Chiropractors Struggle to Explain CRMA Results

If you find it difficult to explain CRMA findings, it may indicate gaps in your understanding of spinal injuries. Mastering the simplicity of these conditions is key:

• Spinal Injuries Are Simple: Bone injuries, disc injuries, and ligament injuries are the only possible abnormalities.
• Know Your Testing Tools: X-rays and CTs detect fractures, MRIs detect disc herniations, and CRMA detects ligament instability.
  
  By deepening your understanding of spinal injuries, you’ll gain confidence in explaining them to attorneys, patients, and peers alike.
  
  

Final Thoughts

Explaining CRMA results to attorneys doesn’t require extensive legal or medical jargon—just clarity and confidence. By focusing on the fundamentals of spinal injuries, outlining the significance of CRMA findings, and maintaining open communication, you position yourself as a valuable resource in personal injury cases.

For chiropractors, understanding and articulating the simplicity of spinal injuries is not just a skill—it’s a cornerstone of professional excellence. If you feel uncertain, invest in training to strengthen your knowledge. Attorneys will appreciate your ability to present findings clearly, and patients will benefit from your comprehensive care.

At the end of the day, your expertise can make all the difference in helping attorneys secure fair outcomes for their clients.