Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 6, 2025

Diagnosis and Surgical Treatment of Human Brucellar Spondylodiscitis

Diagnosis and Surgical Treatment of Human Brucellar Spondylodiscitis

Published on: May 23, 2021

Acute Lumbar Schmorl's Node Following Chiropractic Adjustment.

Stephen Albano¹, Mary Grace Bacani², Anthony Alastra¹

¹Neurosurgery, Desert Regional Medical Center, Palm Springs, USA.

|June 24, 2022

Summary

Acute Schmorl's nodes, a disc herniation into the vertebral body, can rarely develop after chiropractic manipulation. Conservative management provided significant pain relief in this case.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Risks Associated with Surgical Management of Lumbosacral Transitional Vertebrae: Systematic Review of Surgical Considerations and Illustrative Case.

World neurosurgery·2024

Same author

Endoscopic Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Asian spine journal·2023

Same author

Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage Secondary to a Parasagittal Meningioma: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Cureus·2023

Same author

External Validation of the Global Alignment and Proportion Score as Prognostic Tool for Corrective Surgery in Adult Spinal Deformity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

World neurosurgery·2023

Same author

A Case Report Examining a Contraindication for Mechanical Thrombectomy in the Setting of a Large Vessel Occlusion and a Concurrent Contralateral Intracranial Hemorrhage.

Cureus·2021

Same author

Contrast Extravasation Post Thrombectomy in Patients With Acute Cerebral Stroke: A Review and Recommendations for Future Studies.

Cureus·2020

Area of Science:

Orthopedics
Radiology
Chiropractic Medicine

Background:

Schmorl's nodes are typically incidental findings of intervertebral disc herniation into the vertebral body.
They are rarely symptomatic and often discovered incidentally on imaging.
The etiology and clinical presentation of acute Schmorl's nodes are not well-established.

Observation:

A 41-year-old male presented with acute on chronic low back pain after a chiropractic adjustment.
Imaging revealed an acute Schmorl's node involving the L4-5 disc and L4 vertebral body.
The patient experienced significant pain relief with conservative treatment.

Findings:

Chiropractic manipulation may precipitate the development of acute Schmorl's nodes.
Conservative management can be effective in alleviating pain associated with acute Schmorl's nodes.

Keywords:

chiropractor herniated disc low back pain pain management schmorl’s node spine

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Sep 6, 2025

Diagnosis and Surgical Treatment of Human Brucellar Spondylodiscitis

Diagnosis and Surgical Treatment of Human Brucellar Spondylodiscitis

Published on: May 23, 2021

This case highlights a rare symptomatic presentation of Schmorl's nodes potentially linked to spinal manipulation.

Implications:

Clinicians should consider acute Schmorl's nodes in the differential diagnosis of back pain following chiropractic adjustments.
Conservative treatment approaches may be successful for managing acute Schmorl's nodes.
Further research is warranted to understand the relationship between spinal manipulation and Schmorl's node formation.