[Expert appraisal of spinal injuries]

Appraisals and expert opinions of clearly identified injuries of the spine, ranging from fractures and dislocations to intervertebral disc ruptures and haemorrhage into soft tissue are generally unproblematic. The residual functional deficit is commensurate with the extent of damage. However, differences between the patient's symptoms and objective findings can be unrelated to the injury, and are often explained by the actual compensation process or other psychological/psychosocial factors. The current article discusses a basis for providing expert medical opinions, as well as a number of practical tips on the German medical insurance system. Particular attention is paid to expert opinions on causality. The article also includes information on the evaluation of structural injuries to the spine on the basis of assessment criteria that have proven to be reliable and authoritative in recent decades.