Chiropractic care of a patient with neurogenic heterotopic ossification of the anterior longitudinal ligament after traumatic brain injury: a case report
A ChiroSecure Research Update
Abstract: The purpose of this case report is to describe the use of chiropractic care for a patient with neurogenic heterotopic ossification of the anterior longitudinal ligament in the cervical spine and soft tissues of the right hip after a traumatic brain injury and right femur fracture.
Discussion: A 25-year-old military officer was referred to a hospital-based chiropractic clinic with complaints of pain and stiffness of the neck and back along with reduced respiratory excursions that began several months after a motor vehicle accident in which he had a traumatic brain injury. The patient had a fractured right femur from the accident, which had since been treated surgically but had complications of heterotopic ossification in the soft tissues of the hip. His overall pain level was 3 of 10 on a verbal pain scale during the use of oxycodone HCL/acetaminophen. Chest excursion was initially measured at .5 cm.
With the intent to restore respiratory chest motion and to reduce the patient’s back and neck pain, the patient was placed on a program of chiropractic and myofascial manipulation, exercise therapy, and respiratory therapy. After a year of care, the patient-rated overall pain at 3 of 10 verbal pain scale levels but was no longer taking medications for pain, and an increase in respiratory chest excursions measured at 3.5 cm.
Conclusion: This case demonstrated that chiropractic treatment provided benefit to a patient with heterotopic ossification concurrent with musculoskeletal pain.
Reference: Morgan WE, Morgan CP. Chiropractic care of a patient with neurogenic heterotopic ossification of the anterior longitudinal ligament after traumatic brain injury: a case report. J Chiropr Med. 2014 Dec;13(4):260-5. doi: 10.1016/j.jcm.2014.08.001. PMID: 25435839; PMCID: PMC4241476. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25435839/