Non-Surgical Management of Degenerative Disc Disease by Reversing the Pathophysiology with Sit Up Exercise

Abstract

Background: Millions of people all over the world are living with degenerative disc disease, some bed ridden, others with crippling pains, while some have intermittent pains that reduce their productivity. Appropriate treatment that will be preventive, curative, and cost-effective is still being sought for. Objective: To find out the treatment outcome of patients who were managed with sit up exercise for degenerative disc disease over a five year period. Methods: It was a prospective study of patients managed in our center for degenerative disc disease using sit up exercise from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2018. Patients were clerked and physically examined in the clinic noting the site(s) of pain and muscle weaknesses. Sit up exercise and passive muscle movement (for those with muscle weakness) were done. Paracetamol and Diclofenac were given for pains. Results: Thirty five patients qualified for the study. Males were twenty. The average age was 57·14 years. Sixteen patients had pain and muscle weaknesses. In 96·97% of patients with pain and 83·33% of patients with muscle weakness, the symptoms/signs resolved within six months. Age played significant role in region involved P = 0·01, duration of symptoms P =0·00, and time for pain to resolve P = 0·00. There was significant relationship between gender and symptoms P = 0·04, and time for pain to resolve P = 0·01 Conclusion: Thirty four patients recovered with sit up exercise, while the 35th patient is still improving. Age and gender played significant roles in the disease. Funding Statement: There was no sponsorship. Declaration of Interests: There was no conflict of interest. Ethics Approval Statement: The study was component of our prospective data bank that was approved by our hospital research and ethics committee.