Woman Suffers Life-Altering Injury During Routine Chiropractic Appointment
A woman has suffered ‘dire’ injuries and was left mostly paralysed after a trip to the chiropractor.
Caitlin Jensen, a recent graduate from Georgia Southern University in biology and chemistry, booked an appointment with a chiropractor for a minor adjustment, according to news.com.au.
However, the procedure led to the dissection of four arteries in her neck, which resulted in cardiac arrest and stroke.
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She was also without a pulse for more than 10 minutes as she was rushed to the Memorial Hospital in Savannah.
There, she underwent surgery and remains in a neurological ICU and is now fighting for her life with a traumatic brain injury.
Following the tragedy, Caitlin’s mother, Darlene, launched a GoFundMe and has raised more than US$20,000 (AU $29,334 or £16,512) for her ongoing medical expenses.
In the campaign's description, her mother said her daughter was left largely paralysed and could only move her body.
She wrote: “She is in critical condition, and this trauma has resulted in a traumatic brain injury.
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"Caitlin is currently conscious and able to respond to verbal commands by blinking her eyes, as well as wiggling her the toes of her left foot.”
She added: “However, the rest of her body sits in a state of paralysis due to the injury. Caitlin has a long road to recovery, and as a college student who has a very simple health care plan.
“She will need significant financial resources to get her through this road to recovery.”
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Prior to the injury, her mother said Caitlin was ‘ready to live the American dream’ and was ‘excited about all the career opportunities and possibilities on her horizon’.
After Caitlin’s initial surgery, Darlene posted an update to the page, saying it was ‘remarkable’ that her daughter was still alive.
She wrote: “I am shaken to the depth of my being by this experience. When I look at my baby girl laying there and she has the ability to look back at me…to see life in her eyes…to touch her and talk to her…she’s ALIVE. Hallelujah.”
Neurologist Wade Smith published a study in 2003 indicating that chiropractic manipulation of the neck has led to a stroke in patients who previously suffered vertebral artery dissection.
Smith told The Washington Post that although the development of severe health problems was small, patients still need to be warned by chiropractors.
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“If the practitioner does not want to discuss risks, then you shouldn’t go to that person,” he said.
Charisa Bossinakis