Clinical and Electrophysiological Changes in Neurological Deficit of Patients With Lumbosacral Radiculopathy Undergoing Traction Therapy

Abstract

Three groups of patients (total n=215) with objective neurological deficit due to lumbosacral radiculopathy were treated with different conservative techniques. Patients from the first group received lumbar traction and manual therapy combined with rest in a flexed posture. Previously weakened muscle groups showed a significant increase in strength after 20 days of treatment. Patients in the second and third groups, who received manual and drug therapy, showed no significant change. Needle electromyography, motor and sensory evoked potentials also showed significant recovery in function of the ventral compared to the dorsal nerve roots in patients from the first group. The importance of root decompression and of manual therapy in recovery of the motor and sensory neurological deficits is discussed.