Effects of Various Rehabilitations on Pain and Performance of Elite Athletes Who Return to Play after Lumbar Disc Herniation

Abstract

It is well-known that lower back pain (LBP) is a fairly common complaint in professional sports. Lumbar disc herniation (LDH) is a common cause of LBP in athletes. Currently, more robust studies on treatment and rehabilitation modalities for elite athletes, who have LDH, are needed. This study investigated the effects of various rehabilitations on recovery process and return to sport in elite male athletes who have surgical treatment of LDH. Participants: elite male athletes (n=46) who underwent surgical intervention – removal of a herniation of the intervertebral disc (L4-L5-S1) on lumbar spine (lumbar discectomy). Group-1 (athletes – n=23), who applied physical rehabilitation (specific motor exercises) during 3 months after surgical treatment. Group-2 (athletes – n=23) applied electroneuromyostimulation therapy and limited physical activity during 2 months after surgical intervention. After 2 months, athletes (group-2) applied specific motor exercises during 30 days, in addition to electroneuromyostimulation routine. All athletes returned to play, after rehabilitation routine. The level of pain and training load of athletes using Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Russian Oswestry Disability Index (RODI) and personal athletes' diaries in 3–12 months after surgical treatment, were analyzed. There were significant (p ≤ 0.05) differences in VAS and RODI rates between groups in 6–12 months after surgical intervention. There were significant (p ≤ 0.05) differences in total training load amount between groups in 9–12 months after operative treatment. Athletes (group-2) demonstrated a lower level of pain and a higher level of daily training load amount in comparison with athletes (group-1). There is a strong positive effect of electroneuromyostimulation therapy and restriction of physical activity in rehabilitation routine for elite male athletes, who returned to sports after surgical treatment of LDH.