Texas spine causation resource
Degenerative disc findings are common on spine imaging and may exist before a collision. The important question is not simply whether degeneration appears on an MRI, but how the medical history, symptoms, neurologic findings, treatment and function changed after the reported event.
Imaging can show age-related or pre-existing changes while the patient also reports a post-collision increase in pain, radicular symptoms or functional limitations. Those issues should be evaluated separately rather than collapsed into one label.
Prior records may show whether the person had active pain, intermittent symptoms, no symptoms, prior restrictions or prior specialist care. Post-event records can then be compared against that baseline.
Neurologic examination findings, radiculopathy, EMG/NCS results, injections, surgical recommendations and response to treatment may add context that an MRI alone cannot provide.
The presence of degeneration does not by itself determine whether later symptoms are unrelated to the collision. Likewise, a collision does not automatically make every degenerative finding traumatic.
Not necessarily. The relevant analysis may involve prior symptoms, post-event changes, clinical findings, treatment and provider opinions.
Yes. Imaging findings and nerve-root symptoms answer different medical questions and may both be relevant.
Degenerative findings are part of the medical context and are considered alongside symptoms, examinations, treatment history and the reported post-event change.
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