Rehabilitation Following Lumbar Disc Surgery

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Lumbar Disc Herniation; Radiculopathy
• Interventions: Other: Rehabilitation following lumbar disc surgery (discectomy)

• Registration Number: NCT00894972
• Lead Sponsor: University of Utah

Brief Summary

The proposed study will be a randomized clinical trial designed to determine the most effective physical therapy program for individuals who have undergone lumbar discectomy surgery. The study will compare two different post-operative physical therapy programs (general strengthening or general + specific strengthening). Both groups will begin treatment 2 weeks post-surgery. Subjects in both groups will receive weekly treatment sessions for 8 weeks with a treatment program emphasizing exercises shown to activate the large trunk muscles without imposing potentially harmful compression or shear forces. The general + specific strengthening group will also receive exercises shown to isolate activation of the deep trunk muscles, in particular the multifidus, with training augmented by the use of diagnostic ultrasound biofeedback. Patient assessments will be conducted pre- and post-surgery, as well as 10 (post-treatment) and 26 weeks after surgery.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2009-04
• Study First Submitted: 2009-05-05
• Study First Submitted QC: 2009-05-06
• Study First Posted: 2009-05-07
• Primary Completion: 2012-04
• Study Completion: 2012-04
• Status Verified: 2012-11
• Last Update Submitted: 2012-11-05
• Last Update Posted: 2012-11-06

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 60

Inclusion Criteria

• 18-60 years old
• Diagnosis of LDH based on imaging (MRI or CT scan) of the lumbar spine with concurring clinical examination findings (based on the judgment of the attending neurosurgeon)
• Appropriate surgical candidate based on the opinion of the attending spine surgeon, and scheduled for single-level lumbar discectomy (open or micro-discectomy).
• Able to attend weekly treatment sessions.

Exclusion Criteria

• Prior surgery to the lumbar spine
• Spondylolytic or degenerative spondylolisthesis present on pre-surgical imaging
• Unable to speak and understand English
• Peri- or post-operative complication (infection, nerve injury, dural tear, vascular injury, etc.) that would limit or delay the ability to participate in post-operative rehabilitation.
• Multi-level surgery or the use of instrumentation during surgery (i.e., lumbar fusion)

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
1	Rehabilitation following lumbar disc surgery (discectomy)	General exercise. Participants in this group will perform aerobic exercise, range of motion exercise and general strengthening exercise.
2	Rehabilitation following lumbar disc surgery (discectomy)	Specific exercise. Participants in this group will perform aerobic exercise, range of motion exercise, and specific motor control exercises.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Modified Oswestry disability index	Preoperative, 2 postoperative weeks, 10 postoperative weeks, 6 postoperative months

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Lumbar multifidus muscle activation as estimated by diagnostic ultrasound imaging	preoperative, 2 postoperative weeks, 10 postoperative weeks, 6 postoperative months

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Utah, Department of Physical Therapy; 🇺🇸 Salt Lake City, Utah, United States