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Question
I'm an ex army paratrooper from the early 70's that had a near fatal fall. I landed like an accordian. My Question is; As a professional, can you diagnose back injuries (w/o fractures) on MRI's as an event of a trauma years back, verses pain and aches from aging? Yes, I'm fighting the VA on a claim.
Thanks for your question.
Setting aside fractures, in general, radiographic evidence of degenerative joint disease (or osteoarthritis, characterized on plain-film x-ray by disc space thinning, joint degeneration, and the appearance of bone spurs) is indicative of long-term spinal damage that occurred over time.
On MRI, bone marrow edema (inflammation within the bone) will produce a characteristic signal and appearance, indicating a more recent injury.
On CT scan, or rather, a specialized CT scan called SPECT (single positron emission tomography), increased metabolic activity points to a recent injury.
It would be virtually impossible to distinguish a radiographic or advanced diagnostic imaging finding as evidence of distant trauma vs. simple aging.
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Gerald Anzalone, D.C.
Expertise
I can answer questions about musculoskeletal-based, evidence-based chiropractic practice.
Experience
13 years of chiropractic practice; currently practicing in an integrative medicine clinic.
Organizations
West Hartford Group, a think-tank that has put forth a model of chiropractic care that is consistent with that of the World Federation of Chiropractic and the Chiropractic Strategic Planning Conference. This model is of the chiropractic physician as the spinal health care expert within the health care system, i.e. society’s non-surgical spine specialist.
Publications
Chiropractic Products magazine
Education/Credentials
Bachelor of Arts, Fordham University, 1991. Doctor of Chiropractic, New York Chiropractic College, 1997.
Awards and Honors
Fordham University: Scripps Howard Journalism Award. New York Chiropractic College: Clinic Award. University of Sint Eustatius School of Medicine: University Award for participation as student president of the Integrative Medicine Program.
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