VMA 101: Revolutionizing Spinal Injury Diagnosis And Patient Comfort

When it comes to diagnosing spinal injuries, traditional imaging methods like X-rays and MRIs can miss critical details, especially in cases involving movement-related injuries. Vertebral Motion Analysis (VMA) offers a cutting-edge solution, providing a more accurate assessment of spinal instability with lower radiation exposure and enhanced patient comfort. In this article, we’ll explain how VMA technology works, why it’s essential for personal injury cases, and how it improves both diagnosis and patient experience compared to traditional methods.

In this article, you can discover…

• How Vertebral Motion Analysis (VMA) provides more accurate detection of spinal injuries compared to traditional imaging.
• Why VMA’s real-time motion analysis is essential for diagnosing ligamentous injuries.
• The benefits of VMA’s lower radiation doses and improved patient comfort during the evaluation process.

How Does Vertebral Motion Analysis (VMA) Provide A Clearer Picture Of Spinal Injuries?

Vertebral Motion Analysis (VMA) is a patented, FDA-approved imaging technique designed to assess spinal mobility. It uses fluoroscopy technology to detect spinal instability, particularly when diagnosing ligamentous injuries. For attorneys, this ability to precisely identify spinal instability is crucial in building a strong case for injury claims.

What Technology Powers Vertebral Motion Analysis (VMA) And How Does It Work?

VMA utilizes pulsed fluoroscopy imaging to capture the movement of the spine. The process is straightforward yet highly precise. The patient stands in place, secured by a bolster that ensures only the targeted part of the spine—either the lumbar or cervical region—moves during the procedure. This isolation eliminates any interference from other parts of the spine, allowing us to focus on the specific area that needs examination.

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

With the patient positioned and stabilized, the pulsed fluoroscopy captures a video-like image as the spine moves through flexion and extension—bending forward and backward. This real-time movement allows us to analyze the spinal region with exceptional accuracy.

Measurements can be as precise as 0.05 millimeters, which are then compared against the established VMA and AMA guidelines. By using these highly specific measurements, we can determine if the patient has a ligamentous injury, providing clear and reliable evidence of the damage.

Why Is Real-Time Motion Capture Essential For Diagnosing Spinal Injuries?

Vertebral Motion Analysis (VMA) captures spinal motion in real time through the use of pulsed fluoroscopy. This is essential because the type of injury we are focused on is movement-based. Traditional imaging methods, such as X-rays, MRIs, or CT scans, do not involve movement, making it impossible to detect this specific type of injury. With VMA, however, we can observe the spine in motion, which is critical in diagnosing movement-related injuries that would otherwise go undetected with static imaging.

How Does VMA Outperform Traditional Imaging In Assessing Spinal Movement?

Unlike traditional X-rays or radiographs, which rely on the patient’s positioning for bending or extension, VMA eliminates inaccuracies caused by unintended or accessory movements. By capturing real-time motion, VMA offers a more accurate and detailed assessment of spinal movement. This precision leads to better diagnostic results, providing far greater clarity on the extent of the injury.

How Does VMA Use Lower Radiation Doses, And How Does That Benefit Patients?

VMA achieves lower radiation exposure through the use of pulsed fluoroscopy, which significantly reduces the amount of radiation compared to a traditional six-view X-ray series. This reduction in radiation offers clear benefits for patients, minimizing potential side effects such as skin irritation and, more importantly, reducing long-term risks like the development of cancer. By lowering radiation exposure, VMA provides a safer, more patient-friendly option without sacrificing the quality of the diagnostic results.

How Does VMA Maximize Patient Comfort During The Examination?

VMA is designed with patient comfort in mind, particularly when it comes to reducing “guarding”—the tendency to tense up muscles due to pain. During the exam, the patient is securely bolstered in place, which isolates the specific region of the spine being analyzed.

This bolstering ensures that only the targeted area moves while the rest of the body remains stabilized. Additionally, the machine provides an armrest for the patient, allowing them to relax without engaging extra muscles, which helps to minimize pain-related tension. For added reassurance, the patient is also given a switch to stop the machine at any point, giving them a sense of control during the procedure.

Then, the VMA system itself gently guides the patient’s movement, following the armrest, so the patient does not have to strain or recruit additional muscles. This precise guidance helps ensure that the patient remains comfortable and relaxed throughout the process.

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 Does VMA Provide A Better Experience For Claustrophobic Patients Compared To MRI?

VMA offers a significantly more comfortable experience compared to an MRI, especially for patients who are claustrophobic. Unlike an MRI, which often involves lying in an enclosed tube, VMA is performed in an open, spacious environment. In our office, the imaging suite is a 10 by 12 room with large frosted windows that allow in natural light while maintaining privacy.

This open and well-lit setting helps to alleviate feelings of confinement, creating a more relaxing and less clinical experience for patients. The result is an examination that feels far less intimidating, especially for those who may have anxiety about enclosed spaces.

Why Should Personal Injury Attorneys Choose VMA For Client Diagnostics?

If you are looking to identify the root cause of your client’s spinal pain and need a way to objectively quantify their injury after trauma, VMA is the diagnostic tool of choice. Standard MRIs or X-rays simply cannot capture movement-based injuries, and the risk of missing these injuries is significant. Data shows that traditional radiographs fail to detect up to 41% of these injuries, and overall, 80% of ligamentous injuries are missed by treating personal injury providers.

If you want to elevate your case beyond a simple sprain or strain diagnosis and provide a more comprehensive understanding of your client’s injury, VMA technology offers the precision and clarity needed. It allows you to present stronger, data-driven evidence, giving your client the best possible outcome.

Have Questions About VMA? Ready To Learn More?

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.