A Case Report of Reversible Iatrogenic Compressive Myelopathy

Physical rehabilitation is a proven method of non-specific lower back pain treatment in contrast to manual therapy which has no evidence of clinical effectiveness. But sometimes, in the search for relief, patients develop complications resulting from the actions of unscrupulous healthcare providers in this field. A 35-year-old patient developed unbearable pain, impaired sensitivity, decreased muscle strength, stiffness in both legs, and urinary retention after rough manual-barefoot manipulation. Computed tomography scans of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine regions revealed signs of hematomyelia involving the Th9-Th10, Th10-Th11, and L1-L2 spinal cord segments. After undergoing therapy with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and glucocorticosteroids, the patient reported a significant improvement in his condition. The description of this clinical case demonstrates a complication of the manual-barefoot manipulation presenting as compressive myelopathy.