Format For Case Studies

SUBJECT: e.g., carpal tunnel syndrome, lumbar disc syndrome, lower crossed syndrome, post surgery knee, foot drop, "whiplash"                         

Objective:

I.Review of Anatomy and Physiology

Review the anatomy and physiology of the affected area with emphasis on neurological implications e.g., spinal nerve (s) , cranial nerve (s) , subluxation complex involved and how that relates to the presenting problem. Diagrams may be utilized.

II.History

A.Discuss symptoms presented as to altered structure and altered function.

B.Present eight (8) parameters of chief complaint considering factors that may explain symptoms.

C.Share your personal mechanism of clinical judgement as to approach, assessment of reliability and relevance of data collected.

D.Relevant additional data from family history: occupational history, review of systems, etc.

III.Physical Evaluations

A.Specific-to the chief complaint

B.Neuromuscular skeletal evaluation

C.Orthopedic examinations

D.General physical considerations

IV.X-rays

A.Diagnostic to relevant condition(s)

B.Evaluation of subluxation complex

C.Specific chiropractic line analysis (if used)

V.Lab Tests

A.General/base line evaluations (if any)

B.Specific evaluations considered for differential diagnosis purposes

VI.Chiropractic Assessments

A.Instrumentation analysis

B.Structural analysis

C.Motion and static palpation

VII.Differential Diagnosis

Share your considerations based on the data collected and why he/she did/did not feel further evaluation was necessary.

VIII.Patient Management

A.Use of specific techniques (e.g., Pettibone, Gonstead, Activator, Cox, SOT), if several types are utilized, why this method was chosen over the others. (e.g., Positive George's, pre-existing lesion or practitioners preference)

B.Frequency and number of total visits, and reasons why that regime was utilized. (e.g., associated soft tissue damage, concurrent care, office routine)

C.Ancillary procedures utilized with reasoning for each form.

D.Nutritional considerations where appropriate, and why they were judged clinically necessary.

E.Patient education, co-operation and/or h ome care.

F.Rehabilitative considerations and reasoning and rational.

IX.Outcome of Care

Post findings beyond opinion of either the patient or practitioner. This is most important for use in a case study.

Example: Positive Valsalva's - treatment- negative Valsalva's

                 Positive blood work findings -treatment-normal blood work findings

                 Please give as many exam finding changes as possible!

X.Discussion:

YOUR OPINION

This is important to enable the reader to understand that, even though certain procedures may not have been done by the primary practitioner, you at least considered them, whether you would choose to utilize them in the future or not. Pre-evaluations and Post-evaluations provide data for efficacy of care, research and legal purposes and should be part of this project.

It is our intention that you use this as a learning tool expanding your field experience while performing Chiropractic research for our profession that is reproducible.