Ann Rehabil Med.  2012 Oct;36(5):708-712.

Spinal Cord Injury Incurred by Neck Massage

• Cheong HS
• Hong BY
• Ko YA
• Lim SH
• Kim JS

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.

Keyword

Spinal cord injury; Massage; Ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament

MeSH Terms

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

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Computed tomography images of cervical spine showed ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament at C5 level (black arrows). (A) Sagittal view. (B) Axial view.

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  Fig. 2 Magnetic resonance image of cervical spine was undergone. (A) T2-weighted sagittal view showed increased signal intensity at C5 spinal cord level. (B) T1-weighted axial image showed herniated nucleus pulposus at C5-6 level (white arrow).

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  Fig. 3 Radiographs of cervical spine showed post-operative state. (A) Lateral view. (B) Anteroposterior view.

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