Spinal Cord Injury Incurred by Neck Massage.
10.5535/arm.2012.36.5.708
- Author:
Hyun Suk CHEONG
1
;
Bo Young HONG
;
Yeong A KO
;
Seong Hoon LIM
;
Joon Sung KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Suwon 442-723, Korea. mdhong112@gmail.com
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Spinal cord injury;
Massage;
Ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament
- MeSH:
Adult;
Facial Paralysis;
Humans;
Longitudinal Ligaments;
Lymphedema;
Massage;
Neck;
Ossification of Posterior Longitudinal Ligament;
Quadriplegia;
Spinal Cord;
Spinal Cord Compression;
Spinal Cord Diseases;
Spinal Cord Injuries
- From:Annals of Rehabilitation Medicine
2012;36(5):708-712
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Massage is generally accepted as a safe and a widely used modality for various conditions, such as pain, lymphedema, and facial palsy. However, several complications, some with devastating results, have been reported. We introduce a case of a 43-year-old man who suffered from tetraplegia after a neck massage. Imaging studies revealed compressive myelopathy at the C6 level, ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL), and a herniated nucleus pulposus (HNP) at the C5-6 level. After 3 years of rehabilitation, his motor power improved, and he is able to walk and drive with adaptation. OPLL is a well-known predisposing factor for myelopathy in minor trauma, and it increases the risk of HNP, when it is associated with the degenerative disc. Our case emphasizes the need for additional caution in applying manipulation, including massage, in patients with OPLL; patients who are relatively young (i.e., in the fifth decade of life) are not immune to minor trauma.
