Isokinetic testing prior to and following anterior lumbar interbody fusion surgery: A pilot study

Abstract

Objective: To examine the feasibility of using isokinetic test findings as clinical outcome measures for rehabilitation success in patients following Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF) surgery. Background: Literaturesupports isokinetic exercise for trunk flexion/extension testing and training. Despite the wide acceptance of isokinetics, there is a paucity of literature on trunk flexion/extension testing pre and post Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF) surgery. Study Design: Pre-post surgical intervention Methods and Materials: Physical therapy evaluation was conducted prior to patients' performance of isokinetic testing. If surgical criteria were met, testing occurred prior to their surgery. Once healing (fusion) was shown with radiographs, patients underwent testing after one month of regimented rehabilitation. Results: Findings indicated that all patients tolerated isokinetic testing prior to and after their ALIF surgery. Improvements of up to 50% in trunk flexion and extension peak torque were noted post-rehabilitation. Pain levels decreased from moderate to minimal during testing and did not interfere with pre- or post-testing. Conclusion: Isokinetic testing is safe, effective and not a detriment to patients who are candidates for ALIF procedure. Testing these patients will potentially aid in return to function by narrowing the scope of rehabilitation and proviing objective measures of trunk strength.