Chiropractic Management of a Recalled Cervical Disc Implant

This case study illustrates the effective chiropractic management of a complex post-surgical patient. A 52-year-old female presented with worsening neck and scapular pain six years after receiving a C5-C6 cervical disc replacement. Her situation was complicated by two factors: imaging confirmed a minor anterior migration of the prosthesis, and the specific implant had been recalled by the FDA due to this risk. While her surgeon suggested revision surgery to fuse the joint, the patient was strongly opposed to another operation. A thorough clinical evaluation revealed significant musculoskeletal dysfunction but no neurological deficits. Critically, direct cervical manipulation was contraindicated due to the implant's instability. The chiropractor developed a conservative treatment plan focusing on thoracic spine manipulation to address regional compensation, soft-tissue therapy for hypertonic neck muscles, and a progressive rehabilitation program to strengthen deep cervical stabilizers. After 11 visits, the patient reported an 80% improvement in pain and function, successfully avoiding revision surgery. The case highlights the valuable role chiropractors can play in managing patients with challenging post-surgical presentations, demonstrating the importance of careful clinical decision-making, adapting techniques when contraindications exist, and fostering collaborative care with surgical specialists.