National Injury Diagnostics
800 Wisconsin St. Bldg. D2, Mailbox 50
Suite 102
Eau Claire WI 54703
Tele: 715-833-8533 Fax: 715-839-7902
info@nationalinjurydiagnostics.com
Represented Present or Past in:
International Chiropractic Association
Washington Chiropractic Association
Wisconsin Chiropractic Association
International Association for the Study of Pain
Attorneys (Plaintiff and Defense)
Evidence-based Methodology
To meet the needs of today's practitioners, evidence-based methodologies are forming the foundation needed to objectively quantify the degree of injury in spinal trauma cases. Today more than ever it is not enough to have a clinical opinion, it must be backed up with objective clinical facts, which is what we provide.
X-ray Digitization
This technology is at the forefront of this model, since it is the proven method to clinically and objectively assess spine stability, ligament damage and spinal Motion Segment Integrity Loss.
Our State-of-the-Art Computer Technology
We will provide you with exact displacements of the spine. Once the data of the patient's spine is loaded into the program, it goes through an advanced Mensuration process to the accuracy of .01mm in translation displacement and .05 degrees in angular variation. These images are then compared to normal, the state of the patient's spine is determined. The computer then takes the displacements and documents the percentage of Permanent Impairment specified in the AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment, 5th Edition.
Our Reports Will Tell You If Your Client Has A Ratable Impairment On X-Ray
Often our reports will come back with 25% Whole Body Impairments of Cervical spine and 20% Whole Body Impairments of the Lumbar spine. We provide our doctors strong objective documentation, however you must understand the DRE (Diagnosis Related Estimate) Categories of Permanent Impairment in order to understand what you are looking at when you have Loss of Motion Segment Integrity, the ratable finding associated with our test. For example, Loss of Motion Segment Integrity is a Category IV Permanent Impairment loss of 25%-28%. This means that the Guides state that this patient will be impaired in 25%-28% of their Activities of Daily Living. You must understand these Guides, though as Loss of Motion Segment Integrity is rated with a higher loss than disc herniation's with or without ongoing nerve problems called radiculopathy, and higher than some spine fractures with or with out ongoing nerve problems. This is not the Chiropractor, Osteopath, or the treating Medical Doctor's opinion, this is the consensus driven AMA Guides that are stating this. Please understand that this testing procedure has no allegiance to the patient, doctor, attorney or insurance company. The finding is either there or it isn't, which is what is so objective about it.
IMPAIRMENT RATING
Impairment rating is the most objective and accurate why for the future prognosis of the patient to be agreed upon. This is because it is guideline driven and it is set up so all professionals can follow the decision making process of the rating. Much like an accountant filling in a 1040 tax form, any other accountant can look over his or her shoulder and see how it was filled out and either agree or disagree. If there is a disagreement it is not a personal opinion, the reviewer simply points out in the tax code (Written Tax Code) how it states to fill it out differently--no fighting, arguing, just professionalism. This is the same way with the AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment. Now impairment rating is only good at MMI and should be done by a licensed MD as that is the only way that the insurance industry will currently accept the rating. This means that either the patient or the patients file needs to be reviewed at MMI. If you have a local MD that can perform this service, than you will refer it to them to do. If you have no resource than we will give you a resource at the bottom of this page.
We Can Educate You
As a service to the providers that utilize our service and the patient's that they serve, we realize it is not enough for the providers to understand this procedure and the interpretation of the results. We understand that the patient still has a medical-legal process to finish, which can at times be as stressful or more stressful than the affects of the injuries that they have received, at least in the short-run. As a service to this patient and you as a support professional in this process, we will freely answer any questions that you may have, and promptly return any phone inquiries that you may have.
This level of cooperation and professionalism goes for the claims adjusters or insurance representatives that may be handling the claim as well. We understand that everyone involved; in thier own way has the patients best interest in thier actions, though at times they may seem at odds, or adversarial. Cooperation and professionalism will make the experience of all patients as pleasant as it can be, and is in our opinion what each patient would like from all of the professionals involved.
