Exercise After Lumbar Disc Herniation Surgery
Condition: Disc Herniation; Surgery
MeSH terms: Intervertebral Disc Displacement; Hernia
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      Physical therapy and rehabilitation may improve low back pain and quality of life after
      lumbar disc herniation. But there is not any agreement of its optimal start time, and
      rehabilitative methods. This study evaluates the effects of early and late rehabilitation to
      the low back pain and quality of life following unilateral microdiscectomy.
    

Detailed description: 
      Lumbar disc herniation (LDH) is a frequently encountered ailment in neurosurgery clinics and
      is prevalent among the general populace, with a reported incidence of about 2%. As it is
      primarily observed in the workforce, it adversely affects their quality of life. One common
      reason for referring a patient for surgery is radiculopathy and low back pain co-occurrence.
      LDH is typically observed in the adult population in active occupation. Most patients with
      LDH can be treated conservatively, but surgery may be necessary for around 13% of cases.

      The decision to operate depends on the individual patient, but persistent radicular pain and
      neurological dysfunction unresponsive to conservative treatment are common indications.
      Minimally invasive surgical techniques are becoming more prevalent. Currently, microsurgery
      is the most common approach for lumbar disc herniation. In addition, endoscopic and minimally
      invasive surgeries have become more prevalent.

      Lumbar microdiscectomy is a surgical procedure involving discectomy with paravertebral muscle
      dissection. Subsequently, patients may experience postoperative back pain, potentially
      impacting their quality of life. Physical rehabilitation is frequently suggested following
      surgery. Some studies have indicated that physical therapy and rehabilitation may not
      significantly improve low back pain and quality of life after lumbar disc herniation. There
      is yet to be an agreement on the effectiveness of physical therapy, its optimal start time,
      and rehabilitative methods.

      This study evaluates the effects of early and late rehabilitation following unilateral
      microdiscectomy for lumbar disc herniation. It also examines the differences in low back pain
      and patients' quality of life due to exercise.
    

Intervention name(s): physical exercise
Intervention type(s): Other
Intervention description(s): The patients were randomized into 5 groups as control group, walking at 2 weeks, walking at 4 weeks, waist exercise at 2 weeks, waist exercise at 4 weeks.
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Intervention model description: A total of 204 patients who underwent surgery for lumbar disc herniation were included and subsequently randomized into five groups. One group served as the control and was advised not to participate in any postoperative exercise. The remaining groups were recommended different exercises, which began at various times after surgery.
Masking: None (Open Label)
Primary purpose: Treatment
Keywords: Lumbar disc herniation; Lumbar microdiscectomy; physical exercise