Rehabilitation of Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy and Carotid Space Schwannoma: A Case Report

Compression of the spinal cord at the cervical level of the spinal column is the hallmark of the disorder known as cervical myelopathy. The aberrant reflexes, hyperreflexia, pathologic reflexes, clumsiness in the hands and fingers, and disturbance of the gait are caused by this compression. It usually starts slowly, increases gradually, and eventually results in a functional decline. For patients older than 55, the most common cause of spinal cord dysfunction is cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). The traditional definition of the pathogenesis of CSM is multilevel spondylosis, where osteophytes develop as a consequence of disc degeneration. The connection between myelopathy and increasing cervical kyphosis, however, has not received much attention. Myelopathy develops as a result of the kyphosis pushing the spinal cord against the vertebral bodies, causing disease in the anterior cord and increasing longitudinal cord strain because of the cord's tethering by the cervical nerve root and dentate ligaments. Because schwannomas in the carotid area are located close to important neurovascular structures, they can provide particular diagnostic and treatment issues. This case report focuses on the management of a rare condition of CSM and carotid space schwannoma by various neurophysiotherapy approaches over six weeks of rehabilitation.