Affiliations: [a] Dokuz Eylül University, School of Physical Therapy, İzmir, Turkey | [b] Dokuz Eylül University, School of Medicine, Neurosurgical Department, Izmir, Turkey
Correspondence:
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Address for correspondence: Bilge Kara, PhD, PT, Dokuz Eylül University, School of Physical Therapy, 35340, İnciraltı, İzmir, Turkey. Tel.: +90 [0] 232 412 49 32; Fax: + 90 [0] 232 270 50 30; E-mail: bparlak@deu.edu.tr
Abstract: Objective:To compare levels of pain, disability, fatigue, kinesiophobia, physical performance, and physical activity of the patients who underwent two different operations on he cervical region. Patients:A total of 27 patients were studied; eleven were included in group I undergoing cervical nucleoplasty; 16 in group II, undergoing anterior cervical microdiscectomy and fusion procedure. Material and Methods:Pain and disability levels (the Neck Pain and Disability Scale), fatigue (the Fatigue Scale), fear of activity (Tampa Scale), physical activity (the Compendium of Physical Activity Scale) and performance (total rolling time, lie/sit test, sit/stand test, loaded reach, and fifty-foot walking test and putting on-off t-shirts) were measured preoperatively, on the day of discharge and in the postoperative 2nd month. Results:Compared to the Group I, the recovery of the Pain and disability level was significantly better in the group II on the postoperative discharge day and in the postoperative 2nd month. Although fatigue results improved in both groups (p<0.05), there was no significant difference between the scores of preoperative, discharge day and postoperative 2nd month. The lowest scores of kinesiophobia were obtained during the 2nd postoperative month found significantly different in both groups (p<0.05), and the postoperative 2nd month scores were better than those of the postoperative discharge day. The scores of physical activity level showed difference in both groups (p<0.05), with the least lowest activity level appearing on the discharge day. Conclusion:It seems necessary to maintain the physiotherapy program for longer periods in patients undergoing nucleoplasty.
