....” Patients who present for assessment of causation, maximum medical improvement (MMI), and permanent impairment can be challenging. For some examinees, after 6 to 12 months without outgoing improvement and with appropriate investigation, treatment, and rehabilitation, the examinee can be considered at MMI...

...Charles N. Brooks, MD; Christopher R. Brigham, MD Maximum medical improvement (MMI) and its multiple synonyms are important terms to understand because one cannot determine permanent impairment until a condition has resolved or reached a stable plateau with respect to improvement. Further, in many...

...James B. Talmage, MD This is a brief introduction to maximum medical improvement (MMI), which is pertinent to permanent impairment assessment. The definition and explanation of MMI according to the AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment (AMA Guides) , Sixth Edition, is discussed. ©...

...Charles N. Brooks, MD; Christopher R. Brigham, MD Most acute injuries and illnesses resolve, ie, reach maximum medical improvement (MMI), within days or weeks and without permanent impairment. Fractures, more severe soft tissue injuries and illness, and conditions that require surgery take longer...

...Charles N Brooks, MD The term maximum medical improvement (MMI) is important to understand because an evaluator cannot determine permanent impairment until a condition is permanent and stationary. In addition, in many jurisdictions MMI represents the date beyond which at least some benefits cease...

...Christopher R. Brigham, MD; James B. Talmage, MD Permanent impairment cannot be assessed until the patient is at maximum medical improvement (MMI), but the proper time to test following carpal tunnel release often is not clear. The AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment ( AMA Guides...

... not alter the rating for a cervical or lumbar fusion at the time the patient's condition is determined to be at maximum medical improvement (MMI). The term adjacent segment degeneration refers to the presence of radiographic findings of degenerative disc disease, including disc space narrowing, instability...

... notice in Table 17-6 (page 575, 6th ed), Functional History Adjustment: Spine, that a GMFH value of “0” means the patient is asymptomatic. If the patient is indeed asymptomatic at maximum medical improvement (MMI), then impairment Class 0 should be chosen, not Class 1. Because a GMFH value of “0...

... that was successfully repaired and 6% UEI based on reproducible motion deficits at MMI, the impairment would be 6% UEI. If the tear was not repaired or was but did not heal, this 6% UEI would be combined with 8% UEI for mild instability if, and only if, clinical instability is reproducible on physical examination...

... it has reached maximum medical improvement (MMI), meaning it is well-stabilized and unlikely to change substantially in the next year with or without medical treatment. MMI is defined in the Fifth Edition (page 19) as a medical condition that is static and well stabilized the “date from which further...

... The rating of permanent impairment cannot occur until the patient has achieved maximal medical improvement (MMI); rating prematurely or delaying the assessment of impairment is likely to result in an erroneous rating and/or interfere with case resolution. An erroneous rating will occur if the rating...

... utilizes protocol for impairment rating Diagnosis Always Always Always Always Causation Often Often Rarely Rarely Prognosis Often Often Often Often MMI (Maximum Medical Improvement) Usually Often Often Rarely Impairment Rating Usually Sometimes...

... as the lateral part of his left elbow. At maximum medical improvement (MMI), the individual complained of moderate pain at rest and severe pain with repetitive forceful gripping and grasping. Radiographs taken at MMI showed a healed distal radius fracture in anatomic position with no posttraumatic arthritis...