• About
  • Masthead
  • License Content
  • Advertise
  • Submit Press Release
  • RSS/Email List
  • 2MM Podcast
  • Write for us
  • Contact Us
2 Minute Medicine
No Result
View All Result

No products in the cart.

SUBSCRIBE
  • Specialties
    • All Specialties, All Recent Reports
    • Cardiology
    • Chronic Disease
    • Dermatology
    • Emergency
    • Endocrinology
    • Gastroenterology
    • Imaging and Intervention
    • Infectious Disease
    • Nephrology
    • Neurology
    • Obstetrics
    • Oncology
    • Ophthalmology
    • Pediatrics
    • Pharma
    • Preclinical
    • Psychiatry
    • Public Health
    • Pulmonology
    • Rheumatology
    • Surgery
  • AI Roundup
  • Pharma
  • The Scan+
  • Classics™+
    • 2MM+ Online Access
    • Paperback and Ebook
  • Rewinds
  • Visual
  • Podcasts
  • Partners
    • License Content
    • Submit Press Release
    • Advertise with Us
  • Account
    • Subscribe
    • Sign-in
    • My account
2 Minute Medicine
  • Specialties
    • All Specialties, All Recent Reports
    • Cardiology
    • Chronic Disease
    • Dermatology
    • Emergency
    • Endocrinology
    • Gastroenterology
    • Imaging and Intervention
    • Infectious Disease
    • Nephrology
    • Neurology
    • Obstetrics
    • Oncology
    • Ophthalmology
    • Pediatrics
    • Pharma
    • Preclinical
    • Psychiatry
    • Public Health
    • Pulmonology
    • Rheumatology
    • Surgery
  • AI Roundup
  • Pharma
  • The Scan+
  • Classics™+
    • 2MM+ Online Access
    • Paperback and Ebook
  • Rewinds
  • Visual
  • Podcasts
  • Partners
    • License Content
    • Submit Press Release
    • Advertise with Us
  • Account
    • Subscribe
    • Sign-in
    • My account
SUBSCRIBE
2 Minute Medicine
Subscribe
Home All Specialties Chronic Disease

Earlier rehabilitation leads to lower functional outcomes in lumbar spinal fusion patients

bys25qthea
October 7, 2012
in Chronic Disease, Surgery
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Image: CC/Pleanetc

Key study points:

  1. Lumbar fusion surgery patients who initiated rehabilitation at 12-weeks had 4X more functional improvement than those at 6-weeks, at 1 year follow up. Rehabilitation at 12-weeks also resulted in less back pain.
  2. There was no difference in pain and function at 6-months follow up.

Primer: Lumbar spinal fusion surgery is an orthopedic procedure performed to treat patients with degenerative disc disease or symptomatic lumbar degenerative disease (ie. Neurogenic claudication). There is contrasting literature on whether patients will benefit from lumbar fusion surgery and few studies have examined rehabilitation strategies. However, recent systematic reviews have shown lumbar fusion surgery leads to greater improvement and functional outcomes compared to non-surgical care for chronic back pain associated with lumbar degeneration.

With surgery, the improved functional outcomes and decrease in pain comes with the trade-off of decreased mobility due the fusion of vertebrae. It is essential for orthopedic surgeons and physical therapists to know rehabilitation timelines and range of motion norms to ensure optimal outcomes for patients post lumbar fusion surgery.

Background reading

1. Systematic Review of Randomized Trials Comparing Lumbar Fusion Surgery to Nonoperative Care for Treatment of Chronic Back Pain (SPINE)

RELATED REPORTS

Time-restricted eating does not confer changes in sleep, mood, or quality of life

Commonly cited medication triggers may not increase risk of microscopic colitis among older adults

Ablation may reduce stroke risk, death, heart failure hospitalization in patients with atrial fibrillation

 2. Clinical outcomes in older patients after posterolateral lumbar fusion (SPINE)

This [randomized, controlled] study: 290 Danish patients (age 18-64 years) who underwent lumbar fusion surgery due to degenerative disc were selected from three different spine centers from January 2008 to January 2010. Patients were randomly assigned before surgery to begin rehabilitation at 6-weeks or 12-weeks. Rehabilitation included a physical therapist that instructed patients in exercises focusing on stability of the trunk and large muscle groups. An occupational therapist focused on ergonomics and posture.

92 patients were ultimately included in the study. The primary outcome was the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Other secondary outcomes including the Low Back Rating Scale, Dallas Pain Questionnaire and days of sick leave were documented. At 1-year follow up, the 6 week group had a median reduction of -6 (-19;4) on the Oswestry Disability Index compared to the 12-week group which had a -20 (-30;-7) reduction (P<0.05). The Dallas Pain Questionnaire showed no difference in outcomes between the two groups. In terms of back pain, the 6 week group had median reduction of -22 (-3.0;-0.7) versus the 12-week group which had a -3.3 (-4.7;-1.7)(P<0.05).

In sum: The authors demonstrated that earlier rehabilitation at 6-weeks post lumbar spine fusion resulted in inferior functional outcomes and decreased performance in activities of daily living. In addition, those same patients also experienced less back pain.

The study had very strong design and internal validity as both treatment groups had similar patient demographics. Nevertheless, other outcome scales such as the LBRS and DPQ did not show any difference between the two treatment groups. This can be attributed to the subjective type questioning of such “functional scales”. More objective measurements would have strengthened the authors’ claims. Lumbar fusion patients are expected to have longer recovery periods and prolonged pain, so comparing to a later start-time (ie 20 weeks) would have been more practical.

Initiating rehabilitation at 12-weeks is currently the more common practice and this “more-delayed” protocol should continue to be utilized in the plan of care. The study also underscores the importance of further reach optimal rehabilitation treatment protocols and timelines for post-operative patients.

Click to read the study in SPINE

By [RZ] and [AH]

 © 2012 2minutemedicine.com. All rights reserved. No works may be reproduced without written consent from 2minutemedicine.com. DISCLAIMER  Posts are not medical advice and are not intended as such. Please see a healthcare professional if you seek medical advice.

 

Previous Post

Intraaortic balloon pump does not show 30-day mortality benefit for MI complicated by cardiogenic shock

Next Post

A simple, cost-effective test for monitoring lupus nephritis

RelatedReports

Provision of medically-tailored meals linked with lower admissions and medical spending
Chronic Disease

Time-restricted eating does not confer changes in sleep, mood, or quality of life

July 4, 2025
Multiple opioid prescriptions associated with higher hospital admissions
Gastroenterology

Commonly cited medication triggers may not increase risk of microscopic colitis among older adults

July 4, 2025
Atrial fibrillation-specific management increases days alive and out of hospital
Cardiology

Ablation may reduce stroke risk, death, heart failure hospitalization in patients with atrial fibrillation

July 4, 2025
All Specialties

Minimally invasive surgery is beneficial for epithelial ovarian cancer 

July 4, 2025
Next Post

A simple, cost-effective test for monitoring lupus nephritis

Exergaming is a common form of physical activity amongst youth

Electronic health records associated with significant improvement in diabetes mellitus control measures

2 Minute Medicine® is an award winning, physician-run, expert medical media company. Our content is curated, written and edited by practicing health professionals who have clinical and scientific expertise in their field of reporting. Our editorial management team is comprised of highly-trained MD physicians. Join numerous brands, companies, and hospitals who trust our licensed content.

Recent Reports

  • Time-restricted eating does not confer changes in sleep, mood, or quality of life
  • Commonly cited medication triggers may not increase risk of microscopic colitis among older adults
  • Ablation may reduce stroke risk, death, heart failure hospitalization in patients with atrial fibrillation
License Content
Terms of Use | Disclaimer
Cookie Policy
Privacy Statement (EU)
Disclaimer

© 2021 2 Minute Medicine, Inc. - Physician-written medical news.

  • Specialties
    • All Specialties, All Recent Reports
    • Cardiology
    • Chronic Disease
    • Dermatology
    • Emergency
    • Endocrinology
    • Gastroenterology
    • Imaging and Intervention
    • Infectious Disease
    • Nephrology
    • Neurology
    • Obstetrics
    • Oncology
    • Ophthalmology
    • Pediatrics
    • Pharma
    • Preclinical
    • Psychiatry
    • Public Health
    • Pulmonology
    • Rheumatology
    • Surgery
  • AI Roundup
  • Pharma
  • The Scan
  • Classics™
    • 2MM+ Online Access
    • Paperback and Ebook
  • Rewinds
  • Visual
  • Podcasts
  • Partners
    • License Content
    • Submit Press Release
    • Advertise with Us
  • Account
    • Subscribe
    • Sign-in
    • My account
No Result
View All Result

© 2021 2 Minute Medicine, Inc. - Physician-written medical news.