Abstract

ASO, J. et al. Traumatic disc herniation: Forensic implications. Cuad. med. forense [online]. 2010, vol.16, n.1-2, pp.19-30. ISSN 1988-611X.

Traumatic origin of disc herniation, remains as a relevant Medico-Legal problem. The present paper makes a disc protrusion/herniation revision, mainly about mechanic and traumatic factors involved in their origin. A multifactorial (genetic, bio-antropometric, environnement, metabolic, etc.) causation is concluded to explain etiology of disc herniation. Pure disc herniation (occurring in a healthy non degenerated disc) is considered an exceptional phenomenon. Clinical and radiological spine degeneration sings are revised, along with others that can point to a traumatic origin. Dealing with a disc herniation after an accident, Medical Expert has always to consider the possibility of a precedent disc damage status, assessing the role of a worsening of such antecedent condition in each case. A classification of degree of causation accident-herniation, and antecedent disc damage decompensation are proposed.

Keywords : Disc herniation; Spinal injury; Degenerative changes; Medical causation; Traumatic disc herniation.

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