Large abdominal aortic aneurysm presented with concomitant acute lumbar disc herniation - a case report

Area of Science:

• Chiropractic and Manual Therapy
• Vascular Surgery
• Spinal Disorders

Background:

• A 72-year-old male presented with chronic low back pain and leg numbness.
• Imaging revealed lumbar spondylosis, scoliosis, and a 7.15 cm abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).
• Standard referral for AAA treatment involved a 2-week wait.

Observation:

• The patient received chiropractic treatment combined with hybrid rehabilitation for his disc herniation.
• Careful consideration was given to the risks associated with the abdominal aortic aneurysm.
• Chiropractic interventions were administered both before and after the AAA surgery.

Findings:

• Significant alleviation of low back pain and leg numbness was achieved.
• The acute lumbar disc herniation was successfully managed through chiropractic care.
• Manual therapy proved effective despite the presence of a large AAA.

Implications:

• This case challenges the belief that manual therapy is contraindicated in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms.
• Chiropractic management may be a viable option for low back pain in AAA patients.
• Further research with more case reports is needed to confirm the safety and efficacy of manual therapy alongside AAA surgical treatment.