Chiropractor Malpractice Lawsuit

The spine protects the spinal cord, a column of nerves that begins at the base of the brain and facilitates communication between the brain and the various parts of the body. Consequently, spinal manipulation carries risks of serious complications, including stroke, paralysis, and death. 

Arterial Dissection 

Arterial dissection occurs when the inside lining of an artery wall tears. This can occur in the vertebral and carotid arteries in the neck when adjustments are made to that part of the spine, known as the cervical spine. 

Arterial dissection is an extremely dangerous complication that can lead to a stroke and death. It may be caused by the sudden thrust typically used in cervical adjustments. Arterial dissection may occur immediately after the adjustment or in the week that follows. 

A 2001 study published in the journal Stroke found that acute stroke patients under the age of 45 were five times more likely than the general population to have had a chiropractic manipulation performed within the last week. 

According to Biomedical Research and Reviews, approximately one in 48 chiropractors has had a patient develop an arterial dissection. The study found that chiropractors often lack experience in recognizing arterial dissection signs and symptoms and fail to screen for risk factors or communicate with patients’ doctors. 

A stroke is a serious cerebrovascular event. According to the Mayo Clinic, the effects of a stroke may include: 

• Paralysis on one side of the body 
• Speech difficulties 
• Difficulty swallowing 
• Memory loss 
• Cognitive impairment 
• Emotional dysregulation 
• Chronic pain or numbness 
• Disability 
• Death 

Broken Bones 

Chiropractic manipulation is often forceful. It has the potential to cause broken ribs and vertebral fractures, especially in people with osteopenia and osteoporosis, two conditions that are characterized by reduced bone density. Chiropractors have a duty to screen for these conditions and adjust treatment accordingly.  

Herniated Disks 

The Mayo Clinic defines a herniated disk as a painful condition that occurs when the jellylike center of a disk between the vertebrae is pushed to the outside of the disk through a tear. Though chiropractic care is a common therapy for herniated disks, the sudden pressure during spinal manipulations can cause or aggravate it. 

Occurrences in the lowest section of the spine, known as the lumbar spine, have been documented by the European Spine Journal, but this can occur in other regions of the spine.  

The Journal of the American Medical Association studied such a case in the thoracic spine, the section behind the chest, and beneath the cervical spine, which resulted in the development of myelopathy. Myelopathy is a painful compression of the spine that can result in chronic pain, numbness, and loss of bodily functions. 

Cauda Equina Syndrome  

Improper spinal manipulation has been associated with cauda equina syndrome, according to the European Spine Journal. Cauda equina syndrome is a neurological disorder caused by compression of the nerve roots in the lower part of the spine, often resulting in a loss of bladder and bowel control. 

The American Association of Neurological Surgeons has observed that this condition may lead to such symptoms as: 

• Inability to sense the need to urinate  
• Urinary and bowel incontinence 
• Loss of sensation in the genital and buttock regions 
• Weakness 
• Paralysis 
• Sciatic nerve pain 
• Sexual dysfunction