title: A structured physiotherapy treatment model can provide rapid relief to patients who qualify for lumbar disc surgery: a prospective cohort study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate a structured physiotherapy treatment model in patients who qualify for lumbar disc surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective cohort study.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
authors: Department of Physiotherapy, Sahlgrenska University Hospital/Mölndal, SE-431 80 Mölndal, Sweden. gunilla.limback_svensson@vgregion.se.
authors: Gunilla Limbäck
authors: GL
authors: Svensson
authors: Gunilla Kjellby
authors: GK
authors: Wendt
authors: Roland
authors: R
authors: Thomeé
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001416:Back Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D017586:Diskectomy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000601:surgery; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011446:Prospective Studies; D057566:Self Report; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult