MRIs are not very good at specifically dating an injury. There are some changes that are time dependent but some defy identifying the date of origin. The most common way to date an injury is to compare to an old MRI. With a disc herniation, the MRI needs to be combined with the patient history to be able to ascertain date of injury.
Lumbar disc herniations occur with motor vehicle accidents. Normally, with any herniation, there is preexisting degenerative changes. It is rare that a normal disc herniates (exceptions: fall from height, MVA vs. pedestrian). The forces generated by a substantial impact can torque the lower discs and tear the remaining fibers of the annulus to cause a herniation. This is more commonly seen with a patient that does not wear a seat belt.
Dr. Corenman
PLEASE REMEMBER, THIS FORUM IS MEANT TO PROVIDE GENERAL INFORMATION ON SPINE ANATOMY, CONDITIONS AND TREATMENTS. TO GET AN ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS, YOU MUST VISIT A QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL IN PERSON.
Donald Corenman, MD, DC is a highly-regarded spine surgeon, considered an expert in the area of neck and back pain. Trained as both a Medical Doctor and Doctor of Chiropractic, Dr. Corenman earned academic appointments as Clinical Assistant Professor and Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, and his research on spine surgery and rehabilitation has resulted in the publication of multiple peer-reviewed articles and two books.
