Effect of Lumbar Spinal Stabilization Exercises Along With Neural Tissue Mobilization on Pain and Spinal Dysfunction in Failed Back Surgery Syndrome

Cureus. 2024 Oct 25;16(10):e72396. doi: 10.7759/cureus.72396. eCollection 2024 Oct.

Abstract

Background Failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) mainly involves back pain radiating to the lower limb after back-related surgeries. It can develop various complications around the operation site and its surrounding area. This study evaluates the effect of lumbar spinal stabilization exercises and neural tissue mobilization on pain and spinal dysfunction in FBSS. Objectives To study the impact of lumbar spinal stabilization exercises and neural tissue mobilization on pain and spinal dysfunction in FBSS. To compare the impact of lumbar spinal stabilization exercises and neural tissue mobilization with conventional therapy on pain and spinal dysfunction in FBSS. Methods The study included 76 participants aged 45-60 with back pain radiating to lower limbs after back-related surgeries within the past six months. Participants were randomly assigned to either a conventional treatment group (Group A) or an experimental exercise program group (Group B). The treatment duration was six weeks and data were analyzed by a paired t-test for within-group analysis and an unpaired t-test for between-group analysis. Results Both groups A and B showed significant differences in all three outcome measures. However, Group B showed extremely significant improvement (<0.0001) in outcome measures, including pain, lumbar muscle strength by manual muscle testing, and modified Oswestry index assessment compared to Group A. Conclusion Both conventional and experimental groups showed a significant impact on the pain and level of function in failed back surgery syndrome patients. However, lumbar stabilization exercises along with neural tissue mobilization (Group B) showed a more pronounced impact on all outcomes such as pain reduction and improvement in lumbar flexor, rotator, and extensor muscle strength and modified Oswestry index compared to the conventional treatment group (Group A).

Keywords: back surgery; lumbar-fusion; manual muscle strength; obesity; spinal stabilization.