A Structural Approach to Post-Surgical Laminectomy: A Case Study

Authors

• Paul A. Oakley, MSc, DC
• Robert H. Berry, DC
• Deed E. Harrison, DC

Publication

Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Res 2007; March 19:1-7

Article Link

A Structural Approach to Post-Surgical Laminectomy: A Case Study

Abstract

Objective: Case report of a patient, having persistent low back
and leg pain following a L4-L5 surgical laminectomy, who underwent Clinical Biomechanics of Posture® (CBP®) protocol designed to correct postural distortions.
Clinical features: A thirty-five year-old male suffered from low back/leg pain following a work injury despite having a lumbar
spine laminectomy 6 months prior to chiropractic care.
Radiographic analysis revealed a 16mm left lateral thoracic translation and a 47mm forward head translation with loss of the
cervical lordosis. Generalized decreased lumbar range of motion and multiple positive orthopedic and neurological tests were present.
Intervention and Outcome: The patient received 36 treatments,
utilizing CBP® protocol, over the course of 12 weeks with total
correction of a thoracic translation, as well as a significant
reduction in forward head posture, resulting in alleviation of
positive orthopedic tests. Post examination at 9 months indicated that the improvements in thoracic translation, forward head posture, and cervical lordosis had been maintained. The changes
in structure and function appear to be related to the correction of
both the thoracic and cervical postural aberrations and the
concomitant reduction in the pons-cord tract pathological
tension.
Conclusion: A post-surgical laminectomy patient was
successfully treated with CBP® protocol, achieving a significant
reduction in symptoms not obtained following recent surgery.
Normalization of posture resulted in the elimination of positive orthopedic and neurological tests. A 9-month follow-up
examination revealed preservation of both the postural
correction and patient health and well-being. These results
indicate that the correction of thoracolumbar and cervical deformity following surgical laminectomy is achievable and may be a desirable clinical outcome.