Affiliations: [a] Spine Unit, Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, Zerifin, Israel | [b] Tel Aviv Clinic, Tel-Aviv, Israel | [c] Department of Orthopedics, The Chaim Shiba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel and Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Israel
Correspondence:
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Address for correspondence: Dr. Yigal Mirovsky, The Spine Unit, Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, Zerifin 70300, Israel. Tel.: +97289779432; Fax: +97289779434; E-mail: Mirovsky@netvision.net.il
Abstract: A prospective randomized study was conducted comparing vertical ambulatory traction in 41 patients (group 1) to 35 patients treated by the same traction device combined with daily walking for 12 days and than 8 more sessions on alternating days (group 2). The pain score, lumbar spine range of motion and satisfaction with treatment were examined 1,6 and 12 months following completion of treatment. The results demonstrated improvement in pain score and range of motion at each follow up examination.
The pain improvement in group 2 was significantly better than in group 1. One year after completion of treatment, 63% of the patients from group 1 and 78% of the patients from group 2 were satisfied with the results.
Keywords: Low back pain, lumbar traction, treadmill
