Question
i was involved in an auto accident. i postponed treatment for three weeks because i wanted the pain and discomfort to resolve itself without going for therapy. neck and back stiffness didn't begin for 3-5 days after the accident. then the pain would wax and wan from tolerable to quite painful. after continuing work for three weeks the pain finally got so bad i finally went to a chiropractor and d.o. for help. now the insurance company is saying i waited too long for treatment, i wasn't really hurt that bad and they won't pay for all the treatment i received. the other driver was found at fault. he got a ticket. any comments or suggestions?
also, in the x-rays there was "disk narrowing" at the
L-4/L-5 level with a 2-3 millimeter anterolisthesis at the same lumbar level(L-4/L-5). the pain continued in the lumbar area and an M.R.I. was taken. the report said "disk bulge. no significant disk herniation". could you say a few words about the significance of the x-rays and M.R.I.
thanks, doc.
sincerely,
jk

Answer
disk bulge, disk herniation, staten island disk bulge, staten island disk herniation, staten island auto accident, staten island motor vehicle accident, MVA





Hello John,

I am sorry to hear about your automobile accident (MVA = motor vehicle accident) and resultant injuries.

".....i was involved in an auto accident.....", MVA can cause all types of injury.  Luckily: injury, treatment, time lost from work, chiropractic, medicine, surgery - are usually all covered by our automobile accident insurance policy.

".....i postponed treatment for three weeks because i wanted the pain and discomfort to resolve itself without going for therapy....."- you got me here John.
         Why wait for pain to go away or lessen and THEN seek treatment.  Speaking from a Health Standpoint-- this allows inflammation to set up shop, deterioration and degeneration to get a headstart, and complicates proper treatment from a health perspective.
         When I am in pain,,, I look for answers, I am not shy to visit a Chiropractic colleague or a Medical colleague.

".....i  wanted the pain and discomfort to resolve itself without going for therapy. neck and back stiffness didn't begin for 3-5 days after the accident.....", so- you were in initial pain, and then THAT pain was replaced by a different pain,,,, WITH additional stiffness.
         At 3- 5 days after the accident, you should have visited your local Doctor of Chiropractic.

".....neck and back stiffness didn't begin for 3-5 days after the accident. then the pain would wax and wan from tolerable to quite painful. ...."- this is a normal pain profile, better/ worse/ better/ worse/ worse/ little better--- etc etc= normal and common.

".....after continuing work for three weeks the pain finally got so bad i finally went to a chiropractor and d.o. for help......", THREE WEEKS of pain, stiffness, better, worse, and Finally you go to the doctor.
         Please do not be upset with the messenger (me), but-
you can see why your automobile insurance is doubtful the MVA caused your condition, can't you?  You have an MVA, you wait three weeks to see a doctor.  What could have happened in that three weeks?  Perhaps you mowed the lawn and hurt yourself-- that is what the insurance company thinks; perhaps you fell down the stairs at home and hurt yourself; perhaps you lifted something heavy at home or at work.
         I believe you.
But the automobile insurance company would PREFER to NOT believe you!
If they believe you,,, they have to pay!-- They do NOT want to pay!, if they can get out of paying,,,,, they want to get out of paying!

This is where your lawyer is most important- it is up to your lawyer to fight with the insurance company.  

Your doctors can help, but most important is your lawyer to fight your insurance company.  The lawyer talks to them, your lawyer fights with them.  Your doctors can certainly say the injuries you have are the type expected in an MVA.  But, your lawyer must carry the ball against your insurance company.

".....now the insurance company is saying i waited too long for treatment, i wasn't really hurt that bad and they won't pay for all the treatment i received....", Insurance Companies Delay, Deny, Divert payments ALL THE TIME.  This is why you have a lawyer, do not get upset, do not handle this; let your lawyer do the fighting.

".....the other driver was found at fault. he got a ticket. any comments or suggestions?...."---- see above; that is why your lawyer handles this.  Without a lawyer, the insurance company can get over on the claimant, on the doctors.  LET YOUR LAWYER HANDLE THIS!  This is NOT unusual (although you did NOT help yourself by waiting so long for treatment).

".....in the x-rays there was "disk narrowing" at the
L-4/L-5 level with a 2-3 millimeter anterolisthesis at the same lumbar level(L-4/L-5). the pain continued in the lumbar area and an M.R.I. was taken. the report said "disk bulge. no significant disk herniation". .....":
         Disc narrowing was not caused by this acident, however- this finding can be aggravated by the MVA.
         Anterolisthesis MAY have been caused by the accident- or may not have been caused by the accident; however, given no prior history of back pain, no prior problems, no prior Xray or MRI findings, the accident would be the proximate cause of your complaints.
         Disc bulge without herniation, again- this may have been there before the accident/ injury, OR may have been caused by the accident/ injury.  Regardless, if you were working before the MVA, functioning fine before the MVA- and since the MVA you have had pain and dysfunction; then the MVA is the CAUSE of your pain/ dysfunction/ disability.
         I do not know where you are, but in New York State, in my Staten Island Automobile Accident practice- if the MVA initiates or aggravates a condition,,,, the insurance company is liable for treatment.  But--- on these legal/ financial/ coverage questions--- you need your lawyer to do the fighting; it is not up to you or your doctors, it cannot be done by you or your doctors.


Your spinal complaints:  Disc narrowing, Anterolisthesis, Disc Bulge can all be well treated by your local Doctor of Chiropractic.  Traditional in-office chiropractic care will usually suffice to help restore you to more normal functioning and less pain and disability.  If the traditional Chiropractic approaches do not get you back to better health, then nonsurgical spinal decompression therapy may be available at your chiropractic doctors office; if that does not 'fix' you, then perhaps spinal manipulation under anesthesia could be yet another conservative, safe, efficient approach for your types of condition.


I hope this helps.
I know I 'spanked' you for waiting, BUT other people read this, and they should NOT wait!
AND
Even though you waited, all is not lost!  Your lawyer should be able to force coverage, and your doctors should successfully treat you!


THANK YOU for the question! and if further information is needed,,,
please do not hesitate to RE-contact me here at AllExperts.com : -
http://allexperts.com/ep/965-100794/Chiropractors/Victor-Dolan-DC-DACBSP.htm




Thanks,


Dr. Victor Dolan, DC
http://drvictordolan.chiroweb.com (Email NewsLetter)