J Korean Acad Rehabil Med.  2001 Aug;25(4):720-723.

Atlantoaxial Subluxation Caused by Spinal Manipulation: A case report

• Park CH
• Chun DJ
• Lee SJ
• Kwon BS
• Kim SC

Abstract

A 29 years old woman had suffered from posterior neck and right shoulder pain for one year. She was given a spinal manipulation that was by a non-licentiate at a non-hospital. Posterior neck and shoulder pains were worsened and headache was developed after the spinal manipulation. She was recommended to be kept on the manipulation. Although physical finding was non-specific, radiologic findings of CT and MRI revealed atlantoaxial subluxation. After cervical immobilization and anti-inflammatory drug medication for three months, she recovered and did return to her work. We expect that atlantoaxial subluxation after spinal manipulation is not rare even in healthy young person without underlying pathology and can progress to serious complications unless detailed examination and management are undertaken.

Keyword

Chiropratic therapy; Atlantoaxial subluxation

MeSH Terms

Adult
Female
Headache
Humans
Immobilization
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Manipulation, Spinal*
Neck
Pathology
Shoulder Pain