Vertebral Motion Analysis: Key Insights For Personal Injury Attorneys Considering VMA Diagnostics

As a personal injury attorney, you need precise and compelling evidence to secure the best outcomes for your clients. Vertebral Motion Analysis (VMA) offers cutting-edge diagnostics to detect spinal injuries often missed by traditional imaging. In this article, we’ll delve into how VMA works, why it’s an invaluable tool in personal injury cases, and how it can significantly improve both physical recovery and financial settlements for your clients.

In this article, you can discover…

• How VMA technology captures spinal instability in real-time for a more accurate diagnosis.
• The role VMA plays in securing higher settlements for ligamentous injuries.
• Why VMA is a trusted tool in court, with results certified by independent neuro-radiologists.

What Is Vertebral Motion Analysis (VMA) And Why Does It Matter In Personal Injury Cases?

Vertebral Motion Analysis (VMA) is an imaging test similar to an X-ray, but it uses fluoroscopy to capture video-like images of the neck and back, specifically to identify movement that may indicate ligamentous injuries.

How Long Has VMA Been Helping Patients Achieve Better Outcomes?

VMA has been used for diagnostic testing for 12 years.

The Injuries VMA Can Diagnose That Traditional Imaging Misses

VMA is highly effective in diagnosing ligamentous injuries, particularly those that involve excessive movement in the spine, often referred to as ligament laxity or spinal instability. It also identifies conditions like alteration of motion segment integrity (ICD-10 code M24.28).

Why VMA Offers Critical Insights That X-Rays And MRIs Overlook

Yes, VMA provides critical insights that traditional imaging methods often miss because it captures spinal motion in real-time. Unlike standard X-rays, which only show static flexion and extension positions, VMA allows us to observe the entire range of motion, offering up to 41% greater specificity in diagnosing ligamentous injuries.

How Long Does A VMA Test Take? Is It A One-Time Procedure?

VMA provides a diagnostic result in a single session, making it highly convenient for patients, even those who travel long distances. The entire process typically takes about 20 to 30 minutes, and no additional sessions are needed.

Dr. Jonathon Pinnow is a Wisconsin chiropractor specializing in using Vertebral Motion Analysis (VMA) technology to diagnose spinal injuries that standard imaging often misses. For over a decade, Dr. Pinnow has helped personal injury attorneys ensure their clients get the accurate diagnosis and targeted treatment needed to heal fully. By addressing the root of ligamentous injuries, patients not only recover physically but also bolster their legal case for maximum financial recovery.

When your clients get the right diagnosis, it leads to the right treatment—and that means better case outcomes for everyone. If you’re ready to secure both the health and financial recovery your clients deserve, contact Evident Health today to schedule a consultation.

Health You Can See (608) 560-0799

How Quickly Can You Expect VMA Results And What Do They Include?

Typically, your client will receive their VMA results within 7 to 10 days. Once the results are available, you will receive three reports:

1. Neuro-Radiologist Report
   1. This is signed by an independent, third-party neuro-radiologist, an MD, who reviews and certifies the findings.
2. Vertebral Motion Analysis Report
   1. This detailed report shows the exact millimeter measurements of spinal movement throughout the imaging process. It is often regarded as two to three times more valuable than standard X-rays by independent medical professionals.
3. Causation Report (if applicable):
   1. If the patient is receiving treatment in our office, you will also receive a report linking the injury directly to the incident (e.g., a car crash). This report documents the injury, symptoms, and any limitations in activities of daily living tied to the diagnosis.

The Importance Of Independent Certification: Why VMA Results Are Trusted In Court

VMA technology is highly credible in court. It is patented, FDA-approved, and has consistently passed Daubert challenges, reinforcing its reliability when questioned in legal proceedings.

What’s more, VMA results are certified by a third-party, independent neuro-radiologist (MD). This certification is critical in the med-legal arena because having an impartial expert verify and validate the findings adds a significant layer of credibility and trust.

Are VMA Results Easy for Attorneys And Jurors To Understand?

VMA results are designed to be easily understood by non-medical professionals. The video-based format is highly accessible, allowing jurors or attorneys to clearly see when a vertebra is moving abnormally compared to the others. It is as straightforward as pointing out, “Here is the area with excessive movement.” The visuals make it easy to identify which vertebrae are involved, without needing specialized knowledge.

Additionally, the accompanying reports use simple, clear indicators. Measurements are shown in millimeters, and any concerning movement is flagged with caution signs or stop signs, making it obvious when a ligamentous injury is present.

How Is The Procedure Typically Financed, And Does It Fall Under Healthcare Coverage?

Currently, VMA is not covered by private healthcare or general health insurance plans. Instead, it is typically financed through medical payment (med pay) as part of a personal injury case, or by cash payment. At this time, general healthcare insurance does not apply to this procedure.

Dr. Jonathon Pinnow is a Wisconsin chiropractor specializing in using Vertebral Motion Analysis (VMA) technology to diagnose spinal injuries that standard imaging often misses. For over a decade, Dr. Pinnow has helped personal injury attorneys ensure their clients get the accurate diagnosis and targeted treatment needed to heal fully. By addressing the root of ligamentous injuries, patients not only recover physically but also bolster their legal case for maximum financial recovery.

When your clients get the right diagnosis, it leads to the right treatment—and that means better case outcomes for everyone. If you’re ready to secure both the health and financial recovery your clients deserve, contact Evident Health today to schedule a consultation.

Health You Can See (608) 560-0799

Why Personal Injury Attorneys Rely On VMA To Secure Higher Settlements

VMA allows for a highly accurate diagnosis, which directly benefits both the attorney and their client.

By identifying the true extent of the injury, VMA enables tailored treatment plans and improved recovery outcomes. In many cases, injuries that would be missed by traditional methods can be identified, preventing misdiagnosis and improper treatment that could prolong a client’s suffering.

For personal injury attorneys, VMA can significantly increase settlement amounts. By elevating the diagnosis from a general sprain or strain to a ligamentous injury, the case is viewed more seriously by insurance carriers.

This type of injury is often valued more highly, and if the VMA results reveal permanent impairment, it can dramatically increase the settlement. What’s more, the impairment rating provided by VMA aligns directly with the AMA’s fifth and sixth edition guidelines, adding further credibility and impact to the case.

Case Study: How VMA Results Can Lead To Better Physical And Financial Recovery

One of our patients was struggling to close their personal injury case due to the inability to objectively identify the source of their pain. Despite ongoing treatment, the injury could not be clearly documented, and the case settled for a lower amount than it should have. For years, the client experienced fluctuating health issues related to the undiagnosed injury.

Once the patient underwent Vertebral Motion Analysis (VMA), the specific ligamentous injury was identified. With this new information, their care was tailored to address the true source of the pain, leading to significant health improvements.

If VMA had been used earlier in the case, it would have elevated the diagnosis from a sprain or strain to a permanent ligamentous injury, greatly increasing the value of the settlement and ensuring fair compensation for the permanent impairment.

Still Have Questions? Ready To Get Started?

For more information on Vertebral Motion Analysis, an initial consultation is your next best step. Get the information and legal answers you are seeking by calling (608) 560-0799 today.