Extrait

Background and study aims At some time in their life, 60% to 80% of people will have low back problems and surgery for its treatment is the greatest cost to the NHS. Lumbar discectomy surgery is a common procedure for patients with pain in their legs. However, 30-70% of patients continuing to have problems even after the surgery. Recovery after surgery is, therefore, an important area to research. Currently, treatment following lumbar discectomy comprises a patient leaflet or physiotherapy or both. Practice varies across hospitals and it is unknown whether providing a patient leaflet and physiotherapy benefits patients' recovery compared with use of a patient leaflet alone. This is why we are conducting the study. This study is conducted to help us improve the design and prospects to do a future larger study. Who can participate? Men and women aged over 18 who have recently undergone the first lumbar discectomy surgery What does the study involve? All participants are asked to attend two assessment clinics at 4 and 16 weeks after surgery and half the participants at each hospital are asked to attend a third assessment clinic at 30 weeks after surgery. Assessments comprise of a short questionnaire and two simple physical tests that assess how well patients can move their back and legs. Patients are randomly allocated one of the following groups: patient leaflet and individual outpatient physiotherapy, or patient leaflet alone; and 30-week follow-up, or not. Participants allocated to receive individual outpatient physiotherapy and the patient leaflet receive up to 8 treatment sessions with a physiotherapist, starting as soon as possible after the 4-week assessment clinic. At their final assessment visit, participants are invited to attend a meeting with other participants who received the same treatment, to discuss their experience. What are the possible benefits and risks of participating? We cannot promise that taking part in the study will help the participants, but the information obtained could help them and patients like them in the future. All participants receive a copy of a Patient Leaflet that has been designed specifically for patients following lumbar discectomy surgery. The leaflet contains information about the patient's back, surgery and recovery after surgery. There are no known risks of taking part in the study. Where is the study run from? Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham (UK) and Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust (UK) When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for? Recruitment for the study started in January 2013. Participants will be enrolled on the study for 7 months. Who is funding the study? Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham Charity (UK) Who is the main contact? Dr Alison Rushton [email protected]

Critère d'inclusion

• Rehabilitation following lumbar spinal surgery

Liens

• ictrp
• isrctn