Anterior head translation following cervical fusion-a probable cause of post-surgical pain and impairment: a CBP® case report.
Deed E Harrison, Paul A Oakley, Joseph W Betz
PMID 29545692WHAT IT FOUND
One man with persistent neck pain and right arm weakness after cervical fusion reported improved neck pain, disability, motion, and work capacity after 21 combined chiropractic treatments.
The treatments were given together, so no single method can be credited.
Key findings
01The first 10 relief treatments lowered neck pain from 6/10 to 2/10, but disability rose to 22% and cervical motion did not improve.
02After 11 structural treatments, neck pain was 1/10, disability was 12%, extension motion improved by 12°, and lateral bending improved by 7°.
03After 21 treatments, the brachioradialis reflex and C5-C6 dermatome sensation were normal, and the patient reported increased grip strength and work capacity.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
This is a single case report (n=1), so it cannot show that the treatment works for other people. No x-ray was performed between the first 10 relief treatments and the transition to corrective care, so the timing of structural change is unclear. The patient received several treatments together, so the contribution of any single component cannot be separated.
Declared interests
PAO is paid by CBP NonProfit for writing the manuscript. DEH teaches chiropractic rehabilitation methods used and sells products to physicians for patient care used in this manuscript.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read this as proof that any chiropractic method reduces post-surgical neck pain. It is one patient, and the care included adjustments, stretching, myofascial therapy, cryotherapy, mirror image adjustments, exercises, and extension traction, so the contribution of any single component cannot be separated.