Criteria: Table 17-2 Cervical Spine Regional Grid: Spine Impairments (564-566), Table 17-3 Thoracic Spine Regional Grid: Spine Impairments (567-569), or 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 significance and consistency of clinical findings, presence of causally-related disk herniation(s), and/or alteration of motion segment integrity. Objectify the presence or absence of radiculopathy. Most ratings are for either non-specific spinal pain or for disk herniation / alteration of motion segment integrity. If disk herniations / alteration of motion segment integrity, impairment is based primarily on levels involved and radiculopathy. Assure accuracy of adjustment factors, net adjustment calculation, and grade modification. Additional impairment not provided for surgery, since surgery is intended to improve function. Figure 17-2 (561) summarizes findings. Note revisions provided in “Corrections and Clarifications” (AMA Press, August 2008) to the Spine Regional Grids.
