title: Use of partial body-weight support for aggressive return to running after lumbar disk herniation: a case report.
abstract: This case report demonstrates the application of partial body-weight supported treadmill running in an aggressive rehabilitation program of an ultramarathon runner who had sustained a lumbar disk herniation. Body-weight supported exercise has recognized value during rehabilitation of lower-extremity injuries. In this case we found that the reductions in vertical loading forces achieved through partial body-weight support can also be valuable in the rehabilitation of an injury above the level of support. This motivated runner successfully used weight-supported treadmill training within 1 week of an acute lumbar disk herniation when he was experiencing considerable pain with unsupported walking and lower-extremity weakness. He continued its use until he adequately improved to allow return to his regular overground running program. This case demonstrates how partial body-weight support can allow aggressive running training early after a lumbar disk injury when normal impact forces cannot be tolerated and when leg weakness is a limitation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of California-Davis Health Care System, Sacramento, CA 95655-1200, USA.
authors.forename: Melita N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: Carol
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vandenakker-Albanese
authors.forename: Martin D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Hoffman
mesh_terms: D001835:Body Weight; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008161:Lumbosacral Region; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012420:Running; D016474:Weight-Bearing