Degenerative vs. Traumatic Imaging Findings

In many injury claims, radiology findings are presented as evidence of traumatic injury when, in reality, the imaging reflects long-standing degenerative change.

Galaxy Readers provides expert radiology analysis focused on distinguishing degenerative conditions from true traumatic findings. Our subspecialty radiologists evaluate imaging patterns to determine whether abnormalities are consistent with acute injury or represent age-related or pre-existing pathology.

This distinction is often central to causation, valuation, and defense strategy.

Why This Distinction Matters

Degenerative findings are common and frequently asymptomatic prior to an incident.
However, in litigation, these changes may be mischaracterized as trauma-related.

This can include:

• Degenerative disc disease labeled as acute injury

• Chronic tears presented as incident-related

• Long-standing joint changes attributed to recent trauma

• Normal age-related findings framed as permanent impairment

Accurate interpretation requires radiologic expertise and litigation-focused analysis.

What Our Radiologists Evaluate

Degenerative versus traumatic review includes assessment of:

• Imaging patterns consistent with aging

• Chronic remodeling and structural adaptation

• Absence of acute trauma indicators

• Signal characteristics suggesting long-standing disease

• Findings inconsistent with alleged mechanism

• Objective markers differentiating trauma from degeneration

These insights help separate medical fact from assumption.

Supporting Defense Strategy

Clarifying whether findings are degenerative or traumatic allows defense counsel to:

• Challenge exaggerated injury claims

• Reframe causation narratives

• Reduce perceived permanency

• Support mediation and settlement strategy

• Strengthen expert and deposition preparation

When degeneration is misrepresented as trauma, exposure can increase unnecessarily.

Independent Subspecialty Review

Galaxy Readers works with board-certified, subspecialty-trained radiologists who provide objective, evidence-based imaging analysis.

Our reviews are independent and focused on defensible medical conclusions relevant to litigation.

Request a Degenerative vs. Traumatic Imaging Review

If imaging findings are disputed or unclear, Galaxy Readers can provide objective clarification to support defense decision-making. Contact Us