Chiropractic management of L5-S1 disc protrusion in an elite speed skater: a case report.

Yeewon Chong, Henry Pollard

Abstract read

In one paragraph

Article in The Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed

–field-weighted citation impact

1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

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0 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

2 authors.

Yeewon ChongPrivate Practice, Brisbane, Australia.

Henry PollardDurban University of Technology (DUT), South Africa.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Objective: To describe clinical outcomes and return-to-play following multimodal chiropractic management of an elite speed skater with acute L5-S1 disc protrusion and S1 radiculopathy. Clinical Features: A 20-year-old male elite speed skater presented with sudden-onset severe lumbosacral pain and S1 dermatomal symptoms during ice training. Assessment revealed positive straight leg raise at 40 degrees, diminished reflexes, and motor weakness consistent with S1 radiculopathy. Day 3 MRI confirmed mild L5-S1 disc protrusion with S1 nerve root impingement. Intervention: McKenzie-based directional preference exercises with lumbar extension movements demonstrating centralization phenomenon. Treatment included progressive loading rehabilitation with sport-specific movement patterns through structured phases, McKenzie exercises performed 3-4 times daily (3-5 sets of 10-12 repetitions), and coordinated multidisciplinary care with physiotherapy, massage therapy, and strength coaching. Outcome: Complete return to competitive speed skating within 4.8 months with sustained participation without symptom recurrence at 12-month follow-up. Notable 5-second personal best improvement in week 9 of rehabilitation. Conclusion: Conservative chiropractic management utilizing McKenzie-based protocols within a coordinated multidisciplinary framework achieved excellent outcomes in this elite athlete with lumbar disc herniation and radiculopathy, including successful return to competitive performance with enhanced outcomes.

Indexed as

chiropracticelite athleteexercise therapyintervertebral disc displacementMcKenzie methodmultidisciplinary careradiculopathyreturn to sportspeed skating

Identifiers

PMID41648796

PMCPMC12871890

What OpenQuestion holds

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.