Investigating the efficiency of traction therapy on lumbar disc hernia patients

INVESTIGATING THE EFFICIENCY OF TRACTION THERAPY ON LUMBAR DISC HERNIA PATIENTS Aim: we aimed investigation of effication of intermittent traction therapy in pain level and functional status in chronic lomber pain patients who are diagnosed as lomber disk herniation Material and method: we compared 2 groups of patients (routinly treated with hotpack, TENS, ultrasound group and additionally treated with traction group) before and after treatment session. All patients pain and functional status are evaluated with visual analog scale (VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI) and Roland-Morris disability index (RMDI). Findings: Mean age of patients in our trial is 38,5±10,9. 50 percent of this is male. There were no differences in age, gender and BMI(p>0,05). VAS, ODI, and RMDI values of before and after treatment are similar between treatment and control group(p>0,05). VAS, ODI and RMDI values are significantly decreased in both groups(p<0,05). There was no correlation between age and BMI and levels of VAS, ODI, RMDI values (before-after treatment and difference) (p>0,05). Male patients mean age was lower meaningfully(p>0,05).ODI before treatment and ODI difference values were significantly lower in females(p<0,05). Conclusion: Traction therapy in LDH patients has no additional effect in pain and functional status. Patients treated with these treatment protocols should be discontinued in view of the complications that traction may cause. Keywords:Lumbar disc hernia, traction, visual analog scale, Oswestry, Roland-Morris