Article

OBJECTIVE: To describe the experience of health among patients 3 years after
treatment with a structured physiotherapy model or surgery for lumbar disc
herniation. DESIGN:
A qualitative research study. Subjects/patients: Patients
were referred to the orthopaedic clinic at Sahlgrenska University Hospital with
sciatica due to lumbar disc herniation. Twenty patients who were eligible for
surgery were treated either with a structured physio-therapy model or with
surgery. METHODS: Open-ended interviews were conducted and analysed using content
analysis. RESULTS: Findings were grouped into two themes: feeling of well-being
and feeling of ill-being. In the group treated with structured physiotherapy
there were a high number of codes in the feeling of well-being theme. In the
group treated with surgery there were a high number of codes in the feeling of
ill-being theme. CONCLUSION: Patients treated with structured physiotherapy or
surgery experienced feelings of well-being and ill-being 3 years after treatment.
Patients treated with physiotherapy and surgery described varying experiences of
health 3 years after treatment for lumbar disc herniation. It can be speculated
that the experience of well-being may be explained by the ability of structured
physiotherapy treatments to empower patients.

Langue : ANGLAIS