This animation may only be used in support of a single legal proceeding and for no other purpose. Read our License Agreement for details. To license this image for other purposes, click here.
MEDICAL ANIMATION TRANSCRIPT: Bones provide support for the body and aid in its movement. The place where two or more bones meet is called a joint. Joints may be immovable, slightly movable, or freely movable. A synovial membrane surrounds movable joints. Inside the membrane, synovial fluid lubricates and nourishes joint tissue such as cartilage. Articular cartilage is a tough, slippery covering on the ends of the bones which allows smooth joint movement. Joints give the body flexibility, precision of movement, and help in supporting the body's weight. Arthritis is any disorder that affects joints. It can cause pain and inflammation. Osteoarthritis, or degenerative joint disease, is the most common type of arthritis. It's usually seen in older people. The joints most commonly affected are in the hands, knees, hips, and spine. Often the cause of osteoarthritis is unknown. But it may be due to a combination of the following risk factors-- a family tendency for this condition, being overweight, a joint injury such as a fracture, repetitive strain from activities such as sports, and problems with the bones and a joint not lining up properly. Over many years, these factors can wear away the articular cartilage. The exposed bony surfaces rub together. This, along with the growth of bony projections called bone spurs, causes swelling, pain, and limited movement of the joints. There is no cure for osteoarthritis, but a combination of treatment options control the symptoms. For example, medications can reduce joint inflammation and pain. Common medications include Acetaminophen, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDS. An ice pack may also reduce joint pain. Lifestyle changes, such as resting the affected joint and losing weight if necessary may help slow down the progression of osteoarthritis. Other lifestyle changes include physical therapy exercises and education to manage osteoarthritis on your own. Physical therapy exercises along with low impact exercise such as walking and swimming increases muscle strength and keeps joints limber. Braces can help with joint support and alignment to reduce joint pain. Another treatment option is the injection of hyaluronic acid into the joint. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance in the joint's synovial fluid. It helps lubricate the joint and allows the bones to slide over each other more easily. For severe osteoarthritis a doctor may recommend a surgical procedure such as joint resurfacing to remove loose bone or cartilage and bone spurs, or an osteotomy, or bone removal, may be recommended to realign deformed joints. In some cases the arthritic joint may need to be replaced with an artificial joint. For more information, talk to a health care provider.
"We are extremely pleased with the quality of the medical exhibits and the
timely manner in which they were provided. I will certainly recommend
your company to my business associates who could benefit from your services.
Please tell Brian Wilson [Director of Content Development, Senior Medical
Illustrator] that he did an exceptional job on these exhibits."
K. Henderson
Dunaway and Associates
Anderson, SC
"It is my experience that it's much more effective to show a jury what
happened than simply to tell a jury what happened. In this day and age where
people are used to getting information visually, through television and
other visual media, I would be at a disadvantage using only words.
I teach a Litigation Process class at the University of Baltimore Law Schooland use [Medical Legal Art's] animation in my class. Students always saythat they never really understood what happened to [to my client] until theysaw the animation.
Animations are powerful communication tools that should be used wheneverpossible to persuade juries."
Andrew G. Slutkin Snyder Slutkin & Kopec Baltimore, MD
"For modern audiences, it is absolutely essential to use medical
demonstrative evidence to convey the severity and extent of physical
injuries to a jury. Your company's high quality illustrations of our
client's discectomy surgery, combined with strong expert testimony, allowed
the jury to fully appreciate the significance of our client's injuries.
We are very pleased with a verdict exceeding $297,000.00, far in excess of
the $20,000.00 initially offered by the defendant. The medical demonstrative
evidence provided by Medical Legal Art was an asset we could not have
afforded to have been without."
Todd J. Kenyon
Attorney at Law
Minneapolis, MN
"A few words about The Doe Report: recently in a brachial plexus injury
case, we used an image from The Doe Report to demonstrate the injury. We
downloaded the PDF file image, and were amazed at the quality. The hard
copies that you sent were even more clear. As well, we could not have been
happier when you customized the image and reversed the injury from the left
shoulder to the right shoulder, which is where our client's injury was.
The speed and cost-effectiveness of the product made it the perfect tool for
our purposes. We will use The Doe Report again in future cases."
Andrew Needle
Needle Gallagher & Ellenberg, P.A.
Miami, FL
Medical Legal Art creates medical demonstrative evidence (medical
illustrations, drawings, pictures, graphics, charts, medical animations,
anatomical models, and interactive presentations) for use during legal
proceedings, including research, demand letters, client conferences,
depositions, arbitrations, mediations, settlement conferences, mock jury
trials and for use in the courtroom. We do not provide legal or medical
advice. If you have legal questions, you should find a lawyer with whom you
can discuss your case issues. If you have medical questions, you should seek the advice of a healthcare provider.