Posture control in patients with herniated nucleus pulposus in cervical and lumbosacral spine subjected to operative treatment.

Abstract

Patients with lumbar degenerative disc disease suffer from impairments in deep trunk muscles, which may lead to poorer posture control. The purpose of the study was to assess body balance during double limb stance in patients with herniated nucleus pulposus in cervical and lumbosacral spine, subjected to surgical treatment. The qualified subjects included patients operated due to herniated nucleus pulposus in lumbosacral (L-S group) and in cervical area (C group) as well as healthy controls. Static balance was examined in double-limb stance, with eyes open and closed, on force platform. The patients were examined before the surgery, on the day they were discharged from the hospital ward and one month following the discharge from the ward. The findings show significant differences between the study group and the controls in the examined parameters before and after the surgery. It was observed significant differences in the length of centre of pressure path in the trial with eyes closed between the L-S and C groups. Both groups of patients with discopathy have significantly poorer posture control in comparison to healthy subjects. After operative treatment both groups of patients with discopathy presented with significantly decreased values in all the examined balance parameters.