Effectively communicating Computerized Radiographic Mensuration Analysis (CRMA)™ results to attorneys is an essential skill for chiropractors, especially when working within the medical-legal landscape. While it may seem daunting at first, explaining CRMA findings becomes straightforward when you thoroughly understand spinal injuries and their significance. This blog will walk you through how to confidently and effectively explain CRMA results to attorneys..
Before diving into attorney communication, it's critical to have a firm grasp of spinal injuries:
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."
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.
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:
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.