Vertebral Artery Dissection

The abrupt twisting of your head or neck by a chiropractor can cause a tiny tear in the intimal lining of the vertebral artery and a devastating injury, although the injury may not be apparent at first. The vertebral artery, a vital artery, passes through the upper vertebrae of the neck and supplies blood to the brain stem. Even a tiny tear in the vertebral artery, known as vertebral artery “dissection,” can create a blood clot that causes a blockage leading to a brainstem stroke.

Vertebral artery dissection is gaining wider recognition among medical professionals as a cause of serious stroke in younger, generally healthy patients under age 45!

View Medical Illustrations of Vetebral Artery Strokes

If you have suffered a stroke in the days or weeks after a chiropractic neck adjustment, you may have suffered a chiropractic stroke related to vertebral artery dissection. The chiropractic injury lawyers at the Abelson Law Firm focus on strokes caused by chiropractic neck adjustment and cases of chiropractic malpractice. We represent patients who have been seriously injured by chiropractors’ negligence.

Contact us toll-free at 1-888-797-4242 or fill out our online form for a free evaluation of your situation.

Strokes from Chiropractic Neck Adjustments

Strokes caused by chiropractic neck adjustments are just starting to receive the wider public attention they deserve. Chiropractors don’t like to discuss these injuries and have fought efforts by regulatory boards to require disclosure of the risks of chiropractic neck manipulation.

Vertebral artery dissection or VAD is one of several types of life-threatening injuries that chiropractic neck adjustments can cause.  A dissection of the vertebral artery, as well as a carotid artery dissection, can be caused by chiropractors twisting patients necks and causing arterial dissection, followed by a stroke.

The two vertebral arteries, along with the basilar artery, are the main blood supply to the lowest area of the brain. A blood clot and disruption of blood flow through the vertebral artery affects the brainstem, the part of the brain that controls many life supporting, non-voluntary bodily functions such as breathing and heart rate, as well as speech and body movement.  Depending on the part of the brainstem that is affected, a brainstem stroke may lead to paralysis to part of the body, facial weakness, inability to chew food or swallow, or damage to areas that control breathing or alertness. It may cause death.

People who suffer vertebral artery dissection may suffer persistent headache, visual disturbances, and a myriad of other symptoms in the hours, days or weeks before the clot being formed from the dissection breaks loose and causes a brainstem stroke. Victims may develop vertigo, nausea or dizziness. Vertebral artery dissection is reportedly more common among young women than men, according to medical literature.

No Nationalized Reporting of Chiropractic Strokes

Unfortunately, chiropractors are not held to the same reporting standards as medical doctors. There is no nationalized reporting of strokes caused by chiropractic neck manipulations. At the Abelson Law Firm, we believe the incidence of injuries caused by chiropractic neck manipulation is under reported because most patients (or family members) do not make the connection between the stroke and a visit to a chiropractor days or weeks earlier. We are trying to call more attention to this serious issue through this website www.chiropracticstrokevictims.com

If you have suffered a stroke in the hours, days or weeks after a chiropractic neck adjustment, contact an attorney with experience in chiropractic malpractice. The Abelson Law Firm has offices in Washington, D.C and accepts cases of chiropractic malpractice from across the country—cases just like yours. The Abelson Law Firm works with a board certified physician who will help determine the extent of your injuries due to the chiropractic manipulation and the care you will need for future medical treatment and rehabilitation.

For a free consultation, call 1-888-797-4242 or fill out our online form.