Romanian Journal of Physical Therapy (Jun 2021)
The effects of a complex recovery program on pain reduction and improvement of lumbar spine mobility in patients with L4-L5 lumbar disc herniation
Abstract
Hypothesis: In our study we started from the hypothesis that, by using a complex program, which uses as means of rehabilitation massage, electrotherapy, hydrotherapy and physical therapy in patients with lumbar disc herniation, a decrease in pain and an improvement in spine mobility are to be expected. Material and methods: The study was performed on a number of 23 patients who were diagnosed with hernia of the L4-L5 intervertebral disc. They followed a recovery program which included a 15 minute massage session, 10 minutes of electrotherapy with diadynamic currents, 20 minutes of hydrokinetotherapy in the thermal water of Băile Felix Spa Town with its specific properties, at a water temperature of 37°C and 40 minutes of individual physiotherapy. Pain was assessed by using the Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), and spinal mobility by using fingertip-to-floor test (FTF), inverted Schober and Schober test, left and right lateral trunk tilt. Results: The pain decreased in intensity in all 3 situations considered. Thus, in the morning it improved by 2.61 ± 1.75 deck of intensity, after the physiotherapy session by 1.57 ± 1.34 points, and in the evening by 2.43 ± 1.56 points. Spine mobility increased for all movements analyzed, so that flexion had a positive evolution in both the fingertip-to-floor test (5.63 ± 4.76 cm gain) and the Schober test (0.61 ± 0.50 cm) extension gained 0.57 ± 0.47 cm on the average of sample, the right lateral trunk tilt 1.16 ± 1.37 cm, and the left lateral trunk tilt 0.80 ± 1.12 cm. Conclusions: The conclusion reached was that the application of a complex recovery program, which uses massage, electrotherapy, hydrotherapy and physical therapy in patients with lumbar disc herniation at L4-L5, reduces the intensity of pain and improves spine mobility.
