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MEDICAL ANIMATION TRANSCRIPT: The spine is made up of bones called vertebrae, which are stacked on top of each other. The vertebrae protect a bundle of nerve fibers called the spinal cord. It runs through an opening in the center of each vertebra. The main sections of the spine are the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar regions. Looking at it from the side, the spine normally has three curves. A C in the cervical spine, a reverse C in the thoracic spine, and another C in the lumbar spine. Viewed from behind, the spine should appear to be completely straight up and down. Scoliosis is a condition where the spine has an abnormal side-to-side curve. Most cases of scoliosis have no known cause. In some cases, scoliosis may be present at birth. In other cases, it may occur over time. The most common cause in adults is asymmetric degeneration of the disks, causing the spine to be tilted to one side or the other. Causes may include cerebral palsy, paralysis, muscular dystrophy, osteoporosis, or spinal fractures. During childhood, the spinal curve usually becomes worse during periods of rapid growth. If the curve becomes severe, it can cause problems with posture, walking, and back pain. It can also cause the internal organs to become cramped for space, causing heart, , breathing and digestion problems. Scoliosis is often treated with a brace to stop the curve from getting worse. Doctors will measure the spinal curve over time to see if the brace is working. For an adolescent, a surgical procedure may be necessary if the brace isn't working or if a brace is not an option. For an adult with scoliosis, a surgical procedure may be necessary if they are experiencing numbness or weakness in their legs, or if they're having progressively worse back pain that does not improve with non-surgical treatments. The most common surgical procedure to repair scoliosis is called posterior spinal fusion with instrumentation and bone grafting. To begin, the surgeon will make an opening over the area of the curve in the spine. The surfaces of the vertebrae will be roughened to help stimulate the bones to heal together. The surgeon will place screws, hooks, or wires into the vertebrae. Rods will be placed alongside the vertebrae and attached to the screws, hooks, or wires in order to straighten the spine. The surgeon may remove small pieces of bone from the ribs or hip bone 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.
"It is my experience that it's much more effective to show a jury what
happened than simply to tell a jury what happened. In this day and age where
people are used to getting information visually, through television and
other visual media, I would be at a disadvantage using only words.
I teach a Litigation Process class at the University of Baltimore Law Schooland use [Medical Legal Art's] animation in my class. Students always saythat they never really understood what happened to [to my client] until theysaw the animation.
Animations are powerful communication tools that should be used wheneverpossible to persuade juries."
Andrew G. Slutkin Snyder Slutkin & Kopec Baltimore, MD
"The Doe Report's Do-It-Yourself Exhibits program enables easy customization
of complex medical exhibits at a reasonable expense and in a timely manner.
Practically speaking, custom medical exhibits are no longer an unthinkable
luxury, but a routine necessity."
Jack S. Cohen
Levy, Angstreich, Finney, Baldante & Coren
Philadelphia, PA
"Our firm was able to settle our case at an all day mediation yesterday and
I am confident that the detail and overall appearance of the medical
illustrations significantly contributed to the settlement. When we require
medical illustrations in the future, I will be sure to contact [MLA]."
Noel Turner, III
Burts, Turner, Rhodes & Thompson
Spartanburg, SC
"Thank you for the wonderful illustrations. The case resulted in a defense verdict last Friday. I know [our medical expert witness] presented some challenges for you and I appreciate how you were able to work with him."
Robert F. Donnelly
Goodman Allen & Filetti, PLLC
Richmond, VA
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.
