Hanan Alsaif
Statement of the Problem: Over 3,000 patients in the UK had a lumbar discectomy in 2018. Up to 30-70% of patients who undergo lumbar discectomy for the first time (FTLD), however, experience further back pain following surgery. Rehabilitation is suggested to improve outcomes following surgery. The type, timing and extent of provision of rehabilitation for FTLD patients in the UK are currently unknown. The latest national survey about it was conducted 13 years ago. Therefore, a recent investigation of current physiotherapy practises within the UK is required. The purpose of this study is to determine the provision and type of rehabilitation for patients undergoing FTLD in different surgical centres across the UK. Methodology: An online survey targeted physiotherapist treating FTLD patients in neurosurgery centres in the UK. The survey questions were developed based on previous research studies in FTLD. Findings: All participating neurosurgery centres provided a physiotherapy service for patients undergoing FTLD surgery, with the majority commencing services postoperatively. Preoperative rehabilitation was undertaken in a third of the centres. Physiotherapy intervention consistently included mobility and functional task training, exercise prescription and provision of an educational handout. However, there was considerable variability in the type of exercises prescribed, the advice given regarding postoperative movement and activity restrictions, and referral to inpatient and outpatient physiotherapy services. Conclusion & Significance: For many respondents to this survey, rehabilitation for FTLD patients was provided postoperatively. The reasons behind this and the postoperative outcome for the rehabilitation, including preoperative rehabilitation, need to be explored and incorporated into the design of future research evaluating FTLD rehabilitation.
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