Abstract
Objectives : This study reports the clinical case of a patient diagnosed with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament treated with Korean Medicine focusing on Chuna therapy. Methods : The patient was treated by a doctor from July 18th, 2019 to November 28th, 2019. The patient was diagnosed with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament based on magnetic resonance imaging results and was recommended to undergo surgery at another hospital. The primary complaint of the patient was left neck pain, left arm sensation, right leg sensation, and right leg loss of strength. The doctor treated the patient with Chuna therapy, acupuncture, cupping, herbal medicine, and pharmacopuncture. The effect of treatment was evaluated using visual analogue scale, neck disability index, pain rating score and Japanese Orthopedic Association score. Spurling, compression, and distraction tests were utilized. Results : Visual analogue scale decreased from 10 at the arm and 10 at the leg to 1 and 2, respectively. Neck disability index decreased from 25 to 11, pain rating score decreased from 66 to 1, and Japanese Orthopedic Association score recovered from 12 to 17 points. In addition, positive spurling test, compression test, and distraction test all improved to negative. Conclusions : Korean medicine treatment can be effective for ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament patients, even when surgery is recommended. Further clinical studies, such as case series and case-control studies, are required to verify these findings.
