Chiropractic Strokes - The Signs and Symptoms

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A poorly performed or non-indicated cervical adjustment by a chiropractor can result in a tear to the carotid or vertebral arteries leading to the brain. This tear as a result of the chiropractic neck adjustment can bleed, which turns into a blood clot, or thrombus, that will then cut off blood flow to the brain and cause a stroke.

If you or a loved one has been injured or suffered a stroke following a chiropractic adjustment to the neck or cervical region, consulting an experienced chiropractic malpractice attorney may offer the best chance of recovering compensation for your medical bills, lost wages and permanent disabilities. The Abelson Law Firm, with offices in Washington, D.C. and Maryland, but accepting cases from across the country, has successfully handled chiropractor malpractice cases resulting in stroke. Please contact us online or by phone at 202-331-0600 or toll free 1-888-797-4242 for a free consultation with one of our personal injury lawyers.

A stroke occurs when brain cells die from lack of oxygen that is normally delivered by the bloodstream.

• A partial or complete blockage of blood by a clot in the brain or an artery feeding the brain is known as an ischemic stroke. Such a stroke may result from a non-indicated or poorly performed chiropractic adjustment. This is the most common type of stroke and kills cells in a region of the brain.
• A hemorrhage, or bleeding, within the skull (called a hemorrhagic stroke) may also cause death. A hemorrhagic stroke may occur following neck manipulation by a chiropractor.

It is important to understand that a stroke may occur immediately following a chiropractic neck manipulation - or it may occur several weeks following a cervical manipulation. When a bleed occurs in an artery following a chiropractic neck manipulation, the thrombus or clot may not immediately break free and occlude blood flow to the brain. Thus, a stroke may not occur for days or weeks following the cervical adjustment. In other words, most victims of a stroke may not recognize that the chiropractic manipulation performed days or weeks earlier was the cause of the stroke. It is for this very reason that the connection between chiropractic neck manipulation and stroke is underreported in medical literature.

What are signs of a stroke? Strokes are sudden and involve impaired brain activity. The signs of a stroke may appear days or weeks after the initial injury to the artery by the chiropractor. The National Institutes of Health's stroke page says the first signs of a stroke include:

• Sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body, including the face;
• Sudden confusion or trouble speaking or understanding speech;
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes;
• Sudden trouble with walking, dizziness, or loss of balance or coordination;
• Sudden severe headache with no known cause.

The consequences of a stroke are catastrophic. The National Stroke Association reports that strokes are the leading cause of adult disability and the third-leading cause of death in the United States, with 160,000 deaths a year from 700,000 strokes. Stroke victims who survive the incident may be left with lifelong disabilities, including partial paralysis that requires expensive rehabilitation and personal assistance.

The costs of strokes were estimated at $62.7 billion in direct and indirect costs in 2007, according to the American Heart Association, and $2.2 trillion through 2050 at current rates, according to a University of Michigan study issued in 2006. Only about 10 percent of stroke survivors recover fully.

Most serious stroke victims require physical and occupational therapy to regain their abilities. These challenges can be as simple as learning to speak and walk again, or relearning life's daily routines such as cooking, bathing, and reading and writing. Stroke victims often need psychiatric care to deal with the frustrations of their diminished capabilities. Some victims suffer from central pain syndrome, where pain never goes away.

The costs of these therapies or the loss of a family's main breadwinner can be a devastating emotional and financial event. An experienced personal injury lawyer can make the difference in obtaining the necessary compensation as a result of chiropractic malpractice. For a free consultation, call the Abelson Law Firm at 888-797-4242 or fill out our online form.