Thank you to my friend, Dr. Amir Rezaei of North York, for this case.
Thank you to my friend, Dr. Amir Rezaei of North York, for this case.
Dr. Rezaei relates this patient’s clinical presentation and treatment: “This 52-year-old man presented with low-back pain, neck pain with radiation into both arms, pain between the shoulders, general stiffness and joint pain, numbness in both hands, and headaches. He reported that the pain began subsequent to a motor vehicle accident that had occurred one year previously. His pain came on immediately following the accident. Rushed to the hospital, he was initially told that he had a fracture of his cervical spine. After a neurosurgeon follow-up, when informed that there was no fracture, he was referred for physiotherapy. He had 35 physiotherapy treatments with no results.
Full spine radiographs reveal a number of congenital anomalies. Congenital fusion of three cervical vertebrae (C2-C4) can be seen in Figure A. Note the radiodense lines representing rudimentary disc sites, and the clearly visualized intervertebral foramina on this lateral film. Mild degenerative disc disease is seen from C4-C5 through C6-C7.
In Figure B, a short radius right thoracic convexity is apparent. The apex occurs at the conjoined T3-T4 vertebral bodies, as a result of T3 consisting of a triangular right hemivertebra, congenitally fused to the full T4 body. Large bilateral but asymmetrical cervical ribs are present at C7.
And finally, a congenital L3-L4 vertebral synostosis is seen in Figure C. You were all taught in school that when you see one congenital anomaly, look elsewhere for others (frequently at transitional regions of the spine). Dr. Rezaei’s patient described here is a great case in point!
Dr. Rezaei resumes:
“Various spinal region subluxations were also present. I began a course of corrective spinal care, using the Pro-Adjuster three times a week. This included extension protocol to the cervical spine, sacrum stabilization protocol, and rotation protocol to the thoracic spine. The patient did cervical extension exercises using the cervical posture pump three times per week, and the Health Bridge side position on the right side for the upper thoracic convexity.
“Three weeks into this treatment regimen, the patient indicated symptomatic improvement of his low-back pain, neck pain, headaches, and arm radiations. He has been seen for 33 visits in the past three months, and continues to report considerable improvement.”
(As an interesting aside, Dr. Rezaei mentions for consideration, perhaps regarding the numerous congenital anomalies, that the patient’s parents were first cousins. Additionally, the patient indicated that, during pregnancy, his mother had taken quinine, an antimalarial drug, in an unsuccessful attempt to abort him as a fetus.)•
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