Author:
Derian Joseph M.,Evaristo Jessica,Wang Jeffrey C.,Lantz Justin M.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is a common surgical procedure for cervical radiculopathy. While postoperative physical therapy (PT) has been shown to be effective after many orthopaedic surgeries, there is limited evidence available regarding postoperative PT after ACDF for cervical radiculopathy. CASE PRESENTATION: A 61-year-old male initiated early in-person PT 2 weeks following 2-level ACDF, which utilized a multimodal PT program (manual therapy, patient education, therapeutic exercise, self-management, HEP, modalities) guided by tissue healing, achievement of clinical objective milestones, and clinical reasoning. OUTCOME AND FOLLOW-UP: Significant improvement in outcome measures (numeric pain-rating scale, neck disability index, 36-item short-form health survey, global rating of change, fear avoidance beliefs questionnaire, cervical active range of motion) was achieved 12 weeks postoperatively and maintained up to 2 years with no adverse events. DISCUSSION: Early initiated in-person multimodal postoperative PT may be safe and effective for patients at all stages of healing after ACDF. Further research is needed to address the benefits to larger patient populations. JOSPT Cases 2023;3(3):163-173. Epub: 20 June 2023. doi:10.2519/josptcases.2023.11608
Publisher
Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy (JOSPT)