Lumbar open laser microdiscectomy has been shown to be an effective intervention and safe approach for lumbar disc prolapse, although early post-operative physical disability affecting daily activities have not been reported consistently. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of using early individualised manipulative rehabilitation to improve early post-operative functional disability after lumbar discectomy. Early post-operative physical disability was improved with a 55% reduction by early individualised manipulative rehabilitation, compared to that of control care with a 5% increase. Early post-operative residual leg pain was reduced with rehabilitation (55%) and control care (9%).
This pilot study supports the feasibility of a future definitive randomised control trial and suggests that a rehabilitation such as this may be a significant option for post-operative management after spinal surgery.