Medico-Legal Services

Degenerative vs. Traumatic Spine Conditions

Differentiating age-related changes from acute injury

Fellowship-trained orthopedic spine surgeon
Active clinical spine practice
Objective, evidence-based opinions
Peer-reviewed literature citations
Deposition and trial-ready

What You Receive

Clear differentiation between traumatic and degenerative findings
Analysis of imaging features distinguishing acute vs. chronic pathology
Opinion on whether incident caused new injury or aggravated pre-existing condition
Assessment of age-appropriate degenerative changes
Apportionment analysis when both elements present
Literature support for conclusions
Explanation suitable for lay juries

Process & Timeline

1

Submit Records

Send medical records and case details

2

Evaluation

Thorough review and examination

3

Report Delivery

Comprehensive written opinion, typically 2-3 weeks

Who This Service Is For

Defense attorneys challenging injury causation
Plaintiff attorneys establishing traumatic injury
Workers' compensation insurers evaluating claims
Auto insurance carriers defending bodily injury claims
Mediators requiring objective causation analysis

The Central Question

In most spine injury litigation, the patient indisputably has a spinal condition visible on MRI. The dispute centers on causation: Did the accident/incident cause this condition, or does it represent pre-existing age-related degeneration unrelated to the claimed event?

Why This Matters

If a 50-year-old with 20 years of degenerative changes on MRI has a minor MVA, and imaging shows disc herniation, the key questions become:

  • Was the herniation present before the accident (asymptomatic degeneration)?
  • Did the accident cause new herniation superimposed on degeneration?
  • Did the accident temporarily aggravate pre-existing condition that would have become symptomatic anyway?
  • What percentage of current disability is traumatic vs. degenerative?

Evidence-Based Analysis

Dr. Rastegar's opinions are grounded in peer-reviewed research on:

  • Prevalence of asymptomatic degenerative changes by age
  • Biomechanics of spine injury in collisions
  • Imaging characteristics of acute vs. chronic pathology
  • Natural history of degenerative disc disease
  • Expected outcomes with and without trauma

What Is Evaluated

Neutral, Defensible Opinions

Evidence-Based Methodology: All opinions are grounded in objective clinical findings, peer-reviewed literature, and established medical guidelines—not advocacy.

Equal Treatment: Whether representing plaintiff or defense, each case receives the same rigorous, unbiased analysis focused solely on the medical facts.

Deposition-Ready: Reports are written to withstand scrutiny, with clear rationale and supporting medical evidence for every conclusion.

Records Needed

  • PRE-INCIDENT medical records and imaging (essential)
  • Post-incident imaging at multiple time points showing progression
  • Incident description and biomechanical details
  • Emergency treatment records documenting immediate post-injury status
  • Serial imaging over time to assess progression
  • Treatment response records
  • Age-matched comparison data when available

Submit a Case

We respond to all inquiries within 24 business hours.

Credentials

  • Board-certified, ABOS
  • FAAOS designation
  • Cleveland Clinic Fellowship
  • Licensed: OH, KY, MI, CA

Submit Your Case Inquiry

Get an objective, evidence-based medical opinion within 2-3 weeks

Professional Affiliations

AAOS • NASS • AMA • Cleveland Clinic • University of Chicago • UCLA • OHSU