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MEDICAL ANIMATION TRANSCRIPT: The spine consists of a series of interconnected bones, called vertebrae, extending from the base of the skull to the tailbone. Each vertebrae connects with the one above and below at the facet joints, allowing them to move relative to one another. In between each bony vertebra lies the shock absorbing intervertebral disk. The facet joints and intervertebral disks work together to permit the bending and twisting motions of the back and neck. Protected within the vertebral column is the spinal cord, which connects the brain to the rest of the body. Spinal nerves emanate from the spinal cord at regular intervals. The main sections of the spine are the cervical, thoracic and lumbar regions. Problems that may occur in the lumbar spine include the following conditions, disk degeneration, or spondylosis, a degenerative arthritic condition that may cause loss of normal spinal structure and function, spondylolisthesis, a condition where one vertebra slips forward relative to the one next to it, osteoarthritis of the facet joints, a spinal deformity such as scoliosis, or a fractured vertebra. A doctor may recommend a posterior lumbar spinal fusion to make the spine more stable and decrease pain due to a condition, injury, or abnormal curve. To begin, the surgeon will make an incision over the lumbar spine. The outer surfaces of the bones will be removed to prepare for fusion. The surgeon will place screws into the vertebrae. Rods will be placed alongside the vertebrae and attached to the screws. The surgeon may remove small pieces of bone from the pelvis to use as bone grafts. Other times, the surgeon may choose to use donor bone from a bone bank for grafting. The surgeon will place the bone grafts along the spine to allow the vertebrae a grow together and keep the spine stable. At the end of the procedure, the skin incision will be closed with stitches.
"Thank you for the splendid medical-legal art work you did for us in the
case of a young girl who was blinded by a bb pellet. As a result of your
graphic illustrations of this tragic injury, we were able to persuade the
insurance company to increase their initial offer of $75,000.00 to
$475,000.00, just short of their policy limits.
We simply wanted you to know how pleased we were with your work which, to
repeat, was of superlative character, and to let you know that we would be
more than willing to serve as a reference in case you ever need one. Many
thanks for an extraordinary and dramatic depiction of a very serious injury
which clearly "catapulted" the insurance company's offer to a "full and
fair" amount to settle this case."
Philip C. Coulter Coulter &Coulter Roanoke, VA
"[Your staff] was extremely efficient, cooperative and gracious and [their]
efforts produced a demonstrative exhibit that we used effectively throughout
our trial. The jury verdict of $3,165,000.00 was, in no small measure, due
to the impact of the demonstrative evidence. You may be sure that we will
call again."
David J. Dean
Sullivan Papain Block McGrath & Cannavo, P.C.
New York, NY
"Medical illustrations are essential evidence in personal injury litigation and MLA is simply the best I've found at producing high-quality illustrations. Your illustrators are not only first-class artists, but creative and responsive. Your turn around time is as good as it gets. My clients have won over $60 million in jury verdicts and I can't recall a case which did not include one of your exhibits. On behalf of those clients, thanks and keep up the great work!"
"Medical illustrations are essential during trial for any medical malpractice case. The people at MLA have the uncanny ability of creating medical illustrations that simplify the most complex of medical concepts and human anatomy to a lay audience. The exhibits of MLA allow experts to easily describe complex concepts and human anatomy in a manner that could
not be done otherwise.
In addition, their custom illustrations show in great detail the extent of
injuries suffered and the devastating effects they have had on the client's
anatomy. These custom illustration can show, side by side, the body before
and after a catastrophic injury. The effect of this juxtaposition is
unmatched by any testimony that can be adduced at the time of trial.
Even jurors after trial have commented on the ease with which they grasp
medical concepts and anatomy once the MLA exhibits were introduced and
used by my experts. Even judges who have "seen it all" are thoroughly
impressed by the detail and sophistication of the illustrations.
Medical Legal Art creates medical demonstrative evidence (medical
illustrations, drawings, pictures, graphics, charts, medical animations,
anatomical models, and interactive presentations) for use during legal
proceedings, including research, demand letters, client conferences,
depositions, arbitrations, mediations, settlement conferences, mock jury
trials and for use in the courtroom. We do not provide legal or medical
advice. If you have legal questions, you should find a lawyer with whom you
can discuss your case issues. If you have medical questions, you should seek the advice of a healthcare provider.