Barry L. Donaldson, Edward A. Shipton, Grahame Inglis, Darren Rivett and Chris Frampton
This randomized clinical trial compares management regimes after lumbar discectomies. The outcomes of a formal postsurgical exercise-based rehabilitation when compared with the usual rehabilitative surgical advice were evaluated. The results show that there was no statistical advantage gained by the group that performed the 6-month supervised nonaggravating exercise program at 1-year follow-up. They did, however, have fewer days off work.
The Spine Journal, Volume 6, Issue 4, July-August 2006, Pages 357-363