EFFECTIVENESS OF EARLY PHYSIOTHERAPY INTERVENTION AFTER LUMBAR SPINE SURGERY ON PAIN AND RETURN-TO-FUNCTION IN PAKISTANI HOSPITALS: A PROSPECTIVE STUDY
Keywords:
Disability, Early ambulation, Functional recovery, Lumbar spine surgery, Pain management, Physiotherapy, RehabilitationAbstract
BACKGROUND: Postoperative physiotherapy plays a crucial role in optimizing recovery after lumbar spine surgery. However, in many developing countries, including Pakistan, the initiation of rehabilitation is often delayed, leading to prolonged pain and functional impairment. Early physiotherapy has been proposed to accelerate recovery, reduce postoperative complications, and improve quality of life.
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of early physiotherapy intervention initiated within 72 hours after lumbar spine surgery in improving postoperative pain, functional outcomes, and mobility among patients treated in tertiary care hospitals in Pakistan.
METHODOLOGY: A prospective interventional study was conducted from September 2022 to April 2023 across three tertiary hospitals in Pakistan, enrolling 200 patients aged 25–65 years undergoing lumbar decompression or discectomy. Participants were randomized into two groups: early physiotherapy (initiated within 48–72 hours post-surgery) and control (initiated after 2 weeks). Pain, disability, and functional independence were assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Timed Up and Go (TUG), 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), and Modified Barthel Index (MBI). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26.0, applying independent t-tests and repeated measures ANOVA.
RESULTS: At three months, the early physiotherapy group showed significantly greater improvement in pain (VAS: 7.8 → 2.1) and disability (ODI: 58.4 → 22.4) compared to controls (VAS: 7.7 → 3.4; ODI: 57.9 → 32.8, p < 0.05). Functional independence and mobility also improved substantially, with mean MBI increasing from 51.3 to 88.5 and 6MWT distance rising from 195.2 to 385.4 meters. No adverse events were reported.
CONCLUSION: Early physiotherapy following lumbar spine surgery significantly enhances postoperative recovery, reducing pain and disability while accelerating return to function. Incorporating early rehabilitation into standard postoperative protocols can improve patient outcomes and healthcare efficiency in Pakistani hospitals.
KEY TERMS: Disability, Early ambulation, Functional recovery, Lumbar spine surgery, Pain management, Physiotherapy, Rehabilitation
