Bells Palsy, whiplash trauma, causation? What's the science?

[Guest guest]

Every now and then (a couple times per year) a patient presents with symptoms of facial numbness or drooping following whiplash trauma. The symptoms tend to appear within several days or several weeks of the event. The treating physician invariably diagnoses "bells palsy." There is never much discussion as to the basis for that precise diagnosis nor an explanation of how the condition is related to injuries sustained in a rearend motor vehicle collision, other than the broad proclamation that it's related. The patient undergoes therapy, and the symptoms abate.

Almost without exception, the IME orthopedists (and D.C.'s) conclude (without further explanation except the same sort of broad proclamation of the treating physician) that bells palsy is not mva related, so therefore none of the treatment for it gets paid by PIP.

What is the science? Can symptoms of Bells Palsy be caused by whiplash trauma. My initial web searches don't really tell me much. Is Bells Palsy simply facial droop, or are there injuries/impaired nerve pathways following whiplash that have symptoms similar to Bells Palsy? I just always find myself in the situation where the treating physician says it's related, and the insurance company proclaims it is not: is too, is not, is too, is not. . . .

Your insight would be greatly appreciated.

G.

Gatti, Gatti, Maier, Sayer, Thayer, & Associates

1781 Liberty St. SE

Salem, OR 97302

1-(800) 289-3443

msmith@...

[Guest guest]

,

I think a better diagnosis following severe whiplash is trigeminal neuralgia, facial nerve palsy or some other related neuro diagnosis. If a patient has had a previous Bells Palsy diagnosis, one could consider the reactivation of the condition. Virus can live in ganglia and nerve plexus for years. This is the case with herpes simplex and bells palsy. A traumatic situation or blow to the area can be enough to activate the virus in the host organism. LIkewise, simply the 'stress' from trauma can onset asymptomatic viral conditions. This follows the same principle as diabetics who are very controlled for years, then after trauma, the condition takes months to normalize. However, it's very difficult to testify and cite. Unless a doctor knows for certain that the nerve condition following a trauma is Bells Palsy, I'd use other more commonly accepted and documented outcomes.

Minga Guerrero DC

Bells Palsy, whiplash trauma, causation? What's the science?

Every now and then (a couple times per year) a patient presents with symptoms of facial numbness or drooping following whiplash trauma. The symptoms tend to appear within several days or several weeks of the event. The treating physician invariably diagnoses "bells palsy." There is never much discussion as to the basis for that precise diagnosis nor an explanation of how the condition is related to injuries sustained in a rearend motor vehicle collision, other than the broad proclamation that it's related. The patient undergoes therapy, and the symptoms abate.

Almost without exception, the IME orthopedists (and D.C.'s) conclude (without further explanation except the same sort of broad proclamation of the treating physician) that bells palsy is not mva related, so therefore none of the treatment for it gets paid by PIP.

What is the science? Can symptoms of Bells Palsy be caused by whiplash trauma. My initial web searches don't really tell me much. Is Bells Palsy simply facial droop, or are there injuries/impaired nerve pathways following whiplash that have symptoms similar to Bells Palsy? I just always find myself in the situation where the treating physician says it's related, and the insurance company proclaims it is not: is too, is not, is too, is not. . . .

Your insight would be greatly appreciated.

G.

Gatti, Gatti, Maier, Sayer, Thayer, & Associates

1781 Liberty St. SE

Salem, OR 97302

1-(800) 289-3443

msmithgattilaw