OMT IN THE MANAGEMENT OF CERVICAL RADICULOPATHY IN A PATIENT WITH CERVICAL SPONDYLOSIS

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to present a unique case of a patient with cervical spondylosis and cervical fusion in whom osteopathic manipulative treatment was used in the management of the patient. Methods: The authors report the case of a 46-year-old man with cervical radiculopathy who received 6 trigger point steroid injections, in addition to a 20-minute session of osteopathic manipulative treatment that focused primarily on the cervical, upper thoracic spine and rib somatic dysfunctions. After treatment, the patient reported immediate improvement of symptoms. Results: A case of cervical radiculopathy in a patient with a past medical history of cervical spondylosis and cervical fusion was presented. The combination of OMT and trigger point steroid injections resulted in improvement of the patient's level of pain, cervical radiculopathy, and nausea. The treatment modalities, possible adverse sequelae as a result of manipulative treatment, review of literature, and discussion of cervical radiculopathy and management of cervical spondylosis are reviewed. Conclusions: Cervical radiculopathy is a common clinical entity that can be frustrating for patients and physicians as a result on the lack of effective treatment options. Because evidence has shown that cervical radiculopathy can be the result of a pathological process or may result from a somatic dysfunction of the spine or ribs, OMT may be an effective treatment modality - alone or combined with other methods.