Evaluation of the reports prepared by Balikesir University Department of Forensic Medicine for spinal injuries according to the "Regulation on Disability Assessment for Adults" between 2019-2024 according to the "injury model" and "joint range of motion model"

Disability assessment due to permanent damages in individuals after trauma constitutes an important part of Forensic Medicine practices. The majority of the disability reports prepared are prepared in accordance with the "Regulation on Disability Assessment for Adults" and its annexes, which entered into force on 20.02.2019. The relevant regulation states that reporting can be done using the "Injury Model" and "Joint Range of Motion Model" in determining the disability rate for spinal injuries. In our study, it was aimed to evaluate the disability rates of the cases for which a report was prepared by our department for spinal injuries between the years 2019-2024 in accordance with the "Regulation on Disability Assessment for Adults" and its annexes and to reveal the differences by comparing the "Injury Model" and "Joint Range of Motion Model". In our study, 723 cases for which a report was prepared by the Department of Forensic Medicine of Balıkesir University due to spinal injuries due to traffic accidents between the years 2019-2024 were examined. The demographic characteristics of the cases, the data of the injury and the disability rates were examined and statistical analysis was performed. Of the 723 cases included in our study, 417 (57.68%) were male and 306 (42.32%) were female. The mean age of the cases was 41±14.87. Among the types of fractures and injuries in the spine, posterior element fractures were the most common with 254 cases (35.13%). For the 723 cases included in the study, 14.74±9.07% of the mean disability data were working. Multiple site injuries, presence of nerve damage, and significant loss of height in the vertebrae are the risk factors that most affect the increase in disability rates. The fact that average disability rates are higher in cases where the range of motion (ROM) model is used shows the importance of standardization of the assessment methodology. Keywords: Disability, Spinal Injuries, Disablement, Forensic Medicine