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Case Reports
. 2022 May 22;14(5):e25209.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.25209. eCollection 2022 May.

Acute Lumbar Schmorl's Node Following Chiropractic Adjustment

Stephen Albano  1 , Mary Grace Bacani  2 , Anthony Alastra  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

Acute Lumbar Schmorl's Node Following Chiropractic Adjustment

Stephen Albano et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Schmorl's nodes are typically an incidental finding whereby a disc herniates into the vertebral body. The clinical course is rarely symptomatic. Here, we present a 41-year-old male who, following chiropractic manipulation, developed an acute Schmorl's node. The patient was managed successfully with conservative measures. A 41-year-old male with acute on chronic low back pain following a chiropractic adjustment. Imaging demonstrated the development of an acute Schmorl's node of the lumbar four-five disc into the lumbar 4 vertebral body after a chiropractic adjustment. He was treated with conservative measures with over 85% relief of back pain. Acute Schmorl's nodes can develop after the chiropractic adjustment. In the case presented, conservative measures resulted in 85% improvement in pain.

Keywords: chiropractor; herniated disc; low back pain; pain management; schmorl’s node; spine.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Lateral x-ray of the lumbar spine.
Figure 2
Figure 2. Sagittal CT lumbar spine.
Figure 3
Figure 3. Sagittal MRI short tau inversion recovery sequence with lumbar 4 Schmorl's node.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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