Chiropractic care is a common form of treatment for musculoskeletal issues, especially for back and neck pain. However, in some rare cases, chiropractic neck adjustments can lead to serious injuries, including strokes. If you or a loved one has experienced a stroke after a chiropractic manipulation, you may be wondering how this type of injury occurs and whether legal options are available for you.

In this blog, we’ll break down how chiropractic adjustments can lead to strokes, the warning signs of injury, how you can protect yourself, and what to do if you suspect malpractice.

How Can A Chiropractic Adjustment Lead To Stroke?

The spine and neck are home to many vital structures, including the vertebral and carotid arteries. The vertebral arteries run along the neck and supply blood to critical parts of the brain. Sometimes, vertebral arteries can weaken and “dissect.” A vertebral artery dissection happens  when the inner lining of the artery tears, allowing blood to seep between the layers of the arterial wall. As the blood collects, it can form a clot, which may then travel to the brain, leading to a stroke. It is unknown how or why vertebral arteries dissect, although there is a great deal of scientific research on the subject. Additionally, research is not conclusive as to whether chiropractic adjustment can cause a vertebral artery dissection, and there is a lot of debate on this specific issue.

What is known is that during a chiropractic neck adjustment, the chiropractor applies force to the neck to adjust the vertebrae. While this is meant to relieve tension or realign the spine, there is a risk that the forceful movement can cause a clot forming in the vertebral artery to travel to the brain, causing a stroke.

Vertebral artery dissection and stroke are often confused as one and the same. In reality, they are two separate occurrences. Vertebral artery dissection in and of itself may not be harmful to an individual. It’s when a clot breaks free and travels to the brain that the results can be highly detrimental to the individual.

Recognizing Signs Of A Vertebral Artery Dissection

Symptoms of vertebral artery dissection may not always be immediately apparent. However, the hallmark symptoms of vertebral artery dissection are sudden severe neck pain (usually one sided) with pain radiating to the top and front of the head. When this type of pain pattern is brought to a chiropractor’s attention, they should be on high alert that vertebral artery dissection may be present and neck adjustment is too dangerous to perform.

Recognition of vertebral artery dissection is well within a chiropractor’s wheelhouse of knowledge and is essential to the health and well-being of their patient. However, the chiropractic industry asserts that chiropractors cannot recognize or diagnose vertebral artery dissection because differentiating between vertebral artery dissection neck pain and other neck pain is “too difficult.” Often, patients are not informed of the fact that vertebral artery dissection is a possibility when these very specific symptoms occur, and the patient is adjusted regardless, leading to serious consequences for the patient.

Recognizing Signs Of A Stroke

Symptoms of stroke vary from person to person and vary based on severity. However, some of the classic stroke symptoms include

• Dizziness or vertigo;
• Nausea or vomiting;
• Vision issues;
• Difficulty speaking;
• Weakness on one side of the body;
• Facial drooping

Understanding Chiropractic Malpractice

The consequences of a chiropractor’s failure to recognize a vertebral artery dissection pain pattern and performing a chiropractic adjustment to the neck can be life-altering or even fatal. Chiropractors, like other medical professionals, have a duty to provide a standard of care that avoids unnecessary risk to their patients. If a chiropractor fails to perform an adequate evaluation or does not follow proper safety procedures, they may be liable for medical negligence. Furthermore, if a chiropractor fails to inform a patient of the risk of stroke when vertebral artery dissection is possibly present, the chiropractor can be held liable.

Chiropractors are generally trained to identify risk factors for strokes, such as a history of vascular conditions or other medical issues that could increase a patient’s susceptibility to vertebral artery dissection. If they fail to take this into account, or if they perform an adjustment improperly, they may be responsible for the resulting injury.

When To Seek Legal Assistance

If you or someone you know has experienced a stroke after a chiropractic neck adjustment, it may be worth seeking legal advice. If it is found that the chiropractor acted negligently, a lawsuit could help to provide you the financial resources to help you in recovery and dealing with whatever damages it causes you and your family for a lifetime. Our team of legal experts can help evaluate your case, gather medical records, and determine whether you have a strong malpractice claim.

Medical malpractice cases involving chiropractors can be complex. It’s crucial to work with an attorney who has experience in this area of law to navigate the medical evidence and establish negligence.

Conclusion

While chiropractic care can be beneficial for many, the risk of vertebral artery dissection leading to a stroke is a serious concern and should be taken into consideration by all chiropractors. If you have suffered such an injury, understanding your legal rights is essential. A qualified attorney can help you explore your options and pursue justice in the event of chiropractic malpractice.

If you have questions about whether you may have a case, don’t hesitate to reach out for a consultation. Taking action can help you recover damages and hold negligent practitioners accountable. Contact us at SW&L Attorneys by calling 701-297-2890, or emailing us at: info@swlattorneys.com

This article is for informational purposes only and is subject to our disclaimer.