Article

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a structured physiotherapy treatment model in patients who
qualify for lumbar disc surgery. DESIGN: A prospective cohort study. PATIENTS:
Forty-one patients with lumbar disc herniation, diagnosed by clinical assessments
and magnetic resonance imaging. METHODS: Patients followed a structured
physiotherapy treatment model, including Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT),
together with graded trunk stabilization training. Study outcome measures were
the Oswestry Disability Index, a visual analogue scale for leg and back pain, the
Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia, the European Quality of Life in 5 Dimensions
Questionnaires, the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale, the Self-Efficacy Scale,
work status, and patient satisfaction with treatment. Questionnaires were
distributed before treatment and at 3-, 12- and 24-month follow-ups. RESULTS: The
patients had already improved significantly (p < 0.001) 3 months after the
structured physiotherapy treatment model in all assessments: disability, leg and
back pain, kinesiophobia, health-related quality of life, depression and
self-efficacy. The improvement could still be seen at the 2-year follow-up.
CONCLUSION: This study recommends adopting the structured physiotherapy treatment
model before considering surgery for patients with symptoms such as pain and
disability due to lumbar disc herniation.

Langue : ANGLAIS