title: High-Force Versus Low-Force Lumbar Traction in Acute Lumbar Sciatica Due to Disc Herniation: A Preliminary Randomized Trial.
abstract: This study compared the effects of high-force versus low-force lumbar traction in the treatment of acute lumbar sciatica secondary to disc herniation.
  
  
  
  A randomized double blind trial was performed, and 17 subjects with acute lumbar sciatica secondary to disc herniation were assigned to high-force traction at 50% body weight (BW; LT50, n = 8) or low force traction at 10% BW (LT10, n = 9) for 10 sessions in 2 weeks. Radicular pain (visual analogue scale [VAS]), lumbo-pelvic-hip complex motion (finger-to-toe test), lumbar-spine mobility (Schöber-Macrae test), nerve root compression (straight-leg-raising test), disability (EIFEL score), drug consumption, and overall evaluation of each patient were measured at days 0, 7, 1, 4, and 28.
  
  
  
  Significant (P < .05) improvements were observed in the LT50 and LT10 groups, respectively, between day 0 and day 14 (end of treatment) for VAS (-44% and -36%), EIFEL score (-43% and -28%) and overall patient evaluation (+3.1 and +2.0 points). At that time, LT50 specifically improved in the finger-to-toe test (-42%), the straight-leg-raising test (+58), and drug consumption (-50%). No significant interaction effect (group-by-time) was revealed, and the effect of traction treatment was independent of the level of medication. During the 2-week follow-up at day 28, only the LT10 group improved (P < .05) in VAS (-52%) and EIFEL scores (-46%). During this period, no interaction effect (group-by-time) was identified, and the observed responses were independent of the level of medication.
  
  
  
  For this preliminary study, patients with acute lumbar sciatica secondary to disc herniation who received 2 weeks of lumbar traction reported reduced radicular pain and functional impairment and improved well-being regardless of the traction force group to which they were assigned. The effects of the traction treatment were independent of the initial level of medication and appeared to be maintained at the 2-week follow-up.
authors.affiliation: Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine Department, University Institute of Rehabilitation-Clémenceau, Strasbourg University, Strasbourg, France; Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), Strasbourg University, Strasbourg, France. Electronic address: marie-eve.isner@chru-strasbourg.fr.
authors.forename: Marie-Eve
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Isner-Horobeti
authors.affiliation: Department of Biostatistics, Strasbourg University, Strasbourg, France.
authors.forename: Stéphane Pascal
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Dufour
authors.affiliation: Department of Biostatistics, Strasbourg University, Strasbourg, France.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schaeffer
authors.affiliation: Department of Biostatistics, Strasbourg University, Strasbourg, France.
authors.forename: Erik
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sauleau
authors.affiliation: Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine Department, University Institute of Rehabilitation-Clémenceau, Strasbourg University, Strasbourg, France.
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vautravers
authors.affiliation: Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), Strasbourg University, Strasbourg, France.
authors.forename: Jehan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lecocq
authors.affiliation: Fédération MPR, CHU Montpellier-Nîmes, France.
authors.forename: Arnaud
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dupeyron
mesh_terms: D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000150:complications*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D012585:Sciatica / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D014143:Traction; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Back Pain; Intervertebral Disc Displacement; Neuropathic Pain; Sciatica