Forensic Musculoskeletal Radiology Expert Witness

What is Forensic Musculoskeletal Radiology?

A forensic musculoskeletal radiology expert witness specializes in interpreting orthopedic imaging of the shoulder, knee, spine, or other joints in legal cases. They review MRI, CT, and/or X-rays to determine whether the findings support the claims that are being made.

Unlike treating physicians, an expert witness can provide an independent medical opinion based on imaging evidence, clinical records, and accepted medical standards. Among other things, the imaging interpretations may assist in determining whether:

• the imaging protocols and interpreted results deviate from standard medical practices.
• an injury is acute or chronic, repetitive, traumatic or degenerative
• imaging findings align with the reported symptoms or not
• there is a delay in diagnosis

This demands:

• a high level of expertise and responsibility
• precise and unbiased evidence-based imaging review

Our Services

With our expertise in musculoskeletal imaging, we assist in legal cases involving a broad spectrum of orthopedic complaints, including trauma. For malpractice, personal injury, workers’ compensation, or spine and orthopedic injuries, our musculoskeletal expert witnesses offer insights that go beyond conventional diagnostic methods. They provide a comprehensive understanding of the condition at hand, whether through the reporting of:

• Imaging & Record Review
• Second Opinions
• Expert Testimony

Why Neuro Experts, PC?

Experience: Our experts have many years of experience in investigations of diagnostic orthopedic imaging.

Expertise in Advanced Imaging: Our specialists have both academic and clinical expertise in interpreting advanced musculoskeletal imaging techniques, including MRI, CT, and X-ray. Furthermore, in areas of overlapping expertise (eg. spinal imaging), Neuro Experts, PC can draw from other in-house sub-specialty areas of expertise, such as neuroradiology, to provide a higher level of coordinated radiological expertise.

Professionalism: Our experts provide, objective interpretation, thorough documentation, and clear & defensible reporting. We excel in translating complex medical terminology into language that legal professionals can easily understand.

References

A landmark MRI study identified rotator cuff tears in 34% of asymptomatic participants, with no shoulder symptoms. A figure that rose to 54% for participants over 60. These findings highlight common, often age-related changes that may oftentimes be present at baseline.

Source: Sher JS, Uribe JW, Posada A, Murphy BJ, Zlatkin MB. Abnormal findings on magnetic resonance images of asymptomatic shoulders. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1995 Jan;77(1):10-5. doi: 10.2106/00004623-199501000-00002. PMID: 7822341.

Another MRI study documented meniscal knee tears in approximately 30% of asymptomatic pain-free participants, with cumulative incidental abnormalities found in 97% of those scanned, again underscoring the common baseline conditions oftentimes present.

Source: Horga, L.M., Hirschmann, A.C., Henckel, J. et al. Prevalence of abnormal findings in 230 knees of asymptomatic adults using 3.0 T MRI. Skeletal Radiol 49, 1099–1107 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-020-03394-z