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Lumbar Segmental Exercises for Reducing Pain and Improving Functional Activiy in a Post Operative Spinal Fusion Patient: A Case Study

Sanaya Baliga, Anusmitha K Vijayan, Priya S

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Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)

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Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy Journal 17(2):p 117-121, April – June 2024. | DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.21088/potj.0974.5777.17224.7

How Cite This Article:

Vijayan AK, Priya S, Baliga S. Lumbar segmental exercises for reducing pain and improving functional activity in a post operative spinal fusion patient: a case study. Physio Ther Occup Ther J. 2024;17(2):117-121.

Timeline

Received : May 24, 2024         Accepted : August 29, 2024          Published : June 30, 2024

Abstract

Background: Degenerative disc and facet joint disease of the lumbar spine is common in the ageing population. Lumbar segmental instability is a prominent disorder after a posterior lumbar interbody fusion surgery. Segmental stabilization exercises enhance muscle activation and help patients regain functional capacity lost due to pain hence could be a beneficial intervention. Case Description: A 67-year-old female with gradual low back pain underwent PLIF at L4 L5 and L5-S1, using Depuy Moss-Miami pedicle screws and a Concorde carbon fiber interbody cage. Post surgery she received physiotherapy. She was scheduled for daily 60-minute physiotherapy sessions for four weeks, focusing on pain reduction, functional improvement, range of motion, and ADLs. Progress was assessed using the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS) and Oswestry Disability Index. Literature Review: A comparative study was conducted by Fabio Franca et.al (2010) used the same treatment intervention to contrast the efficiency of two exercise programs, segmental stabilization and muscular strengthening in chronic low back pain. The study concluded that both techniques lessened pain and reduced disability, however, segmental stabilization proved superior as it had significant gains for all variables including transverses abdominis activation.3 A randomized controlled trial conducted by Stefan Kostadinovic et al (2020) used the same treatment intervention as this study, to compare the lumbar stabilization exercise program in a closed and open kinetic chain (LSCO) and lumbar stabilization exercises and thoracic mobilization program in a closed kinetic chain (LSTMC), and evaluated the clinical effectiveness of each program, in a batch of 4 weeks and 8 weeks programmes. It concluded that patients who performed the lumbar stabilization and thoracic mobilization exercise program in a closed kinetic chain had the most effective reduction of pain intensity and functional disability.


References

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Data Sharing Statement

There are no additional data available.

Funding

This research received no funding.

Author Contributions

All authors contributed significantly to the work and approve its publication.

Ethics Declaration

This article does not involve any human or animal subjects, and therefore does not require ethics approval

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Cite this article

Vijayan AK, Priya S, Baliga S. Lumbar segmental exercises for reducing pain and improving functional activity in a post operative spinal fusion patient: a case study. Physio Ther Occup Ther J. 2024;17(2):117-121.


Licence:

Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)

This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator. 


Received Accepted Published
May 24, 2024 August 29, 2024 June 30, 2024

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.21088/potj.0974.5777.17224.7

Keywords

Segmental Stabilization ExercisesPost-op Spinal fusion

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Received May 24, 2024
Accepted August 29, 2024
Published June 30, 2024

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Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)

This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator. 


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