Criteria: Table 17-4 Lumbar Spine Regional Grid: Spine Impairments (570-573), Table 17-5 Adjustment Grid: Summary (575), Table 17-6 Functional History Adjustment: Spine (575), Table 17-7 Physical Examination Adjustment: Spine (576), Table 17-9 Clinical Studies Adjustment: Spine (581)
Accurately define diagnosis (including severity of spinal fractures and causal relationship). Objectify the presence or absence of radiculopathy. Impairment is based primarily on levels involved, type / severity of fracture, and radiculopathy. Assure accuracy of adjustment factors, net adjustment calculation, and grade modification. Figure 17-2 (561) summarizes findings. Note revisions provided in “Corrections and Clarifications” (AMA Press, August 2008) to the Spine Regional Grids. If spinal cord dysfunction, rate neurological impairment by Chapter 13 and combine with spinal impairment.
