The primary objective of this study is to compare the effectiveness of standard for our practice postoperative physical therapy (PT) program to a PT program that incorporates lower body positive pressure (LBPP) treadmill training for the patients after lumbar discectomy and fusion surgeries.
A prospective, randomized, parallel group controlled clinical study is proposed. The patients will be divided into the two study groups according to the surgical procedure: 1. patients undergoing one-level microdiscectomy for lumbar herniated disc 2. patients undergoing one-level lumbar fusion for degenerative disc disease without notable spinal stenosis. Each group will consist of 60 patients (see sample size calculations below) who will be randomized into the two equal groups to undergo: 1. Standard postoperative rehabilitation program 2. Standard postoperative rehabilitation program with addition of lower body positive pressure (LBPP) treadmill training
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
27
All patients will begin an early postoperative rehabilitation program and standard PT no later than 4 weeks following surgery and continue for at least 6 weeks. The duration of standard PT program could be extended depending on the patient needs. The patients randomized to undergo (LBPP) treadmill training will have an additional 7-week 3 times a week training on the antigravity
Boulder Neurosurgical Associates
Boulder, Colorado, United States
Oswestry Disability Questionnaire
10 points or 20% improvement on Oswestry Disability Questionnaire
Time frame: 24 months
Patient Global Outcome Ratings and Health Quality Improvement
Time frame: 24 months
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