The effect of repeated flexion-based exercises versus extension-based exercises on the clinical outcomes of patients with lumbar disk herniation surgery: a randomized clinical trial

Review written by Ben Cormack info

Key Points

  1. Exercise is better than no exercise post operatively for discectomy.
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BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE

Lumbar laminectomy and discectomy are common surgeries that whilst can be effective, don’t always end up in successful outcomes. One reason could be a lack of post-operative rehabilitation, specifically exercise programs as part of physiotherapy. The use of post discectomy exercise could improve outcomes but there may be controversy around what type of approach might be best. This paper highlights two approaches, McKenzie exercises which have an extension basis and flexion-based exercise (Williams exercises). Exercise has previously been explored post discectomy (1), however not a comparison of these specific types of directionally based exercises.

This study was designed to evaluate the effects of early postoperative flexion-based and extension-based exercises on the clinical outcomes of patients with lumbar disk herniation surgery and to investigate if one therapy is superior to another or no intervention.

Lumbar laminectomy and discectomy are common surgeries that whilst can be effective, don’t always end up in successful outcomes.
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Both exercise groups improved to a greater extent than the control group when looking at the pre/post tests for each group.

METHODS

  • This study was a single blinded (outcome assessor), randomized clinical trial.
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