Risk of Stroke After a Chiropractic Treatment

Chiropractic care is sought by an estimated 10% of adults in the U.S. Adjusting the spine to relieve pain and pressure can provide relief for some patients, but there are risks when the manipulation is performed incorrectly. There have been instances of stroke after chiropractic treatment, which can result in disability or death. If the stroke occurs due to improper manipulation or if chiropractors do not explain the risks, it can be considered medical malpractice.

The Danger of Cervical (Neck) Adjustments

The neck is a very delicate area of the spine and the zone that is at the highest risk of causing serious injuries when manipulated incorrectly by a chiropractor. The spinal cord, nerves, and arteries within the neck are all confined in a small area, which can be damaged during chiropractic treatments. There are instances of paralysis and other conditions from cervical adjustments, but one of the most severe consequences is the possibility of a stroke.

Neck adjustments can damage the vertebral or carotid arteries that run through the neck and close to the spine. If these arteries are damaged, blood clots can occur. If the blood clot travels to the brain through the vertebral or carotid arteries, it can cause a stroke.

The risk of stroke after chiropractic treatment is low, but it can occur in young adults that are at low risk for stroke. There have been otherwise healthy young adults that have suffered strokes after a chiropractic adjustment to the cervical spine. Some of these patients have sought medical malpractice lawsuits against their chiropractors, either due to improper technique or treatment or for failing to warn their patients of the risks of stroke after a cervical adjustment.

Patient Awarded $1+ Million in Chiropractic Medical Malpractice Claim

In January 2023, a young nurse was awarded $1.1 million in a medical malpractice lawsuit against her chiropractor. The woman was only 31 years old when she sought treatment for a painful neck condition. She had the stroke right after her neck was adjusted, falling off the chiropractor’s table, and was unconscious as she was rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery to repair three torn arteries in her neck.

There are many other cases of stroke occurring after a cervical adjustment. One study showed that out of 901 cerebral artery dissection cases due to cervical adjustments, 707 of these resulted in a stroke after the treatment.

Were You Injured Due to a Chiropractic Adjustment?

Chiropractors are held to the same standards as other medical practitioners when it comes to medical malpractice. If you experienced a stroke after a neck adjustment or other injuries, you may be eligible to seek compensation in a chiropractic medical malpractice lawsuit. To discuss your claim and learn about your legal rights, contact our team at Moriarty Injury Lawyer. We offer free legal consultations for those who have been negligently injured by chiropractic or other medical treatments.