Effect of Active Versus Passive Lower Extremity Neural Mobilization in Lumber Radiculopathy

The aim of this study was to find out the effects of active versus passive lower extremity neuralmobilizations combined with lumbar traction and lumbar mobilization in patients with lumbarradiculopathy. The study was conducted in shalamar hospital Lahore and was completed within 6 month of time duration. Sample size of twenty four patient consists of both male and female aged between 45 years to 65 years. Each group contain 12 patients. Group A received active neural mobilizations whereas group B received passive neural mobilization along with lumber traction and mobilization. Patients were re assessed at the end of 6 weeks through SLR , NPRS and ODI.

Lower back pain is found to be one of the common health condition approximately 80% of individual experience back pain once in their lives. Radicular lower back pain is also a disorder that involves the dysfunction of the nerve roots of lumbosacral region. Its symptoms include radiating pain with numbness, paraesthesia and muscle weakness. In general population the annual prevalence of lumber radiculopathy varied from 9.9% to 25% .. Many of the spinal structures notably ligaments, paravertebral muscles, facet joints, spinal nerve roots and annulus fibrosis have been considered as the main cause of the pain. Clinical examinations mostly aim to clarify that whether a nerve root has mechanical impingement. The common clinical diagnostic tests include tests for tendon reflexes, straight leg raise test(SLR), sensory deficits and motor weakness. Several clinicians and researchers have come up with several debates for the treatment of Lower back pain. But not many studies have come up that actually authenticates that how much effective are physical therapy interventions. The common treatments for radical lower back pain includes physical modalities like TENS, ultrasound, Heat and Cryotherapy, lumbar traction and lumbar spinal mobilizations. Kinesiotherapy including ROM exercises and strengthening are also used to treat lower back pain. Neural mobilization techniques actually help in restoring the plasticity of nervous system. Plasticity of nervous system is actually the ability of the nerve surrounding structures to adapt of shift according to other structures. The aim of mobilization is actually to increase the collagen flexibility that helps in maintaining the integrity and movement of the nerve according to its surrounding structures. Radiculopathy management and lower back pain management have a direct link with neural mobilization.

However, evidence lacks whether active or passive lower extremity neural mobilization is more effective. Thus, the purpose of the current study is to compare the effects of active and passive neural mobilization in the management of lumbar radiculopathy, in combination with mechanical traction and joint mobilization.

In 2016 an RCT was conducted and concluded the efficacy of neural mobilization techniques in patients with radicular low back pain. They concluded that neural mobilizations techniques in radicular low back pain are effective. They stated that these techniques reduce the pain, functional disability and enhance the physiological functioning of the nerve root in patients in low back pain with lumbosacral radiculopathy . In 2014 A comparative study was conducted and found that lower extremity neural mobilizations along with conventional physiotherapy such as lumbar traction and lumbar mobilizations improves the agility in lower extremity and reduces pain and disability.

2013 a Study was conducted to observe observed the effects of neural mobilizations in the patients with radicular low back pain and concluded that patients treated with neural mobilizations showed better VAS score. They stated that further research is needed in order to assess the long-term effects of treatment and treatments provided on more than one occasion.

The purpose of the study was to determine the effects of active verses passive lower extremity neural mobilizations combined lumbar traction and lumbar mobilization so that in future this study should be helpful for other researchers to determine which therapy is most helpful in rehabilitation of the patients with radicular low back pain signs and symptoms.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Pain radiate from lower lumber area to posterior aspect of leg up to planter surface of toes.
* Patient with confirmed L4-L5, L5-S1 disc herniation or disc bulge diagnosed by neurophysician.
* Numeric pain rating scale value is more than 4.
* Patients having positive compression distraction, Lasegue's sign and lower limb neural tension tests. (LLNTT).Lasègue's sign is said to be positive if the angle to which the leg can be raised (upon straight leg raising) before eliciting pain is \<45°.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Any red flags (tumor, fracture, metabolic diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, resting
* blood pressure greater than 140/90 mmHg, prolonged history of steroid use, etc)
* Any systemic disease as diabetes or neurological condition that altered the function of the nervous system
* Prolong use of steroids.
* History of any surgery, trauma, or pathology of back, hip, knee, and ankle.
* Spinal stenosis, Potts disease
* Taking any treatment or medication except physiotherapy