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European Spine Journal
Published in: European Spine Journal 4/2012

01-04-2012 | Original Article

Lumbar muscle fatigue and subjective health measurements in patients with lumbar disc herniation 2 years after surgery

Author: Åsa Dedering

Published in: European Spine Journal | Issue 4/2012

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Abstract

Introduction

In this prospective study the purpose was to evaluate patients with lumbar-disc herniation regarding changes in back-muscle fatigue and subjective health measurements 2 years after surgery.

Methods

Endurance time, EMG median frequency and ratings of lumbar-muscle fatigue and pain were measured before surgery, 4 weeks after and 2 years after surgery in 26 patients (19 men and 7 women) with lumbar-disc herniation. A modified Sørensen test was performed with concurrent recordings of electromyography from the lumbar muscles at four recording sites. The questionnaires Oswestry disability index, Roland–Morris disability questionnaire, Self-efficacy scale, SF-36, Back beliefs questionnaire, Odom and a 6-grade physical activity scale were used.

Results

Two years after surgery the patients had longer endurance times (increase from 178 s to 231 s, p < 0.001), a non-significant tendency for flatter L5 slopes (decrease from −0.20 to −0.16 Hz/s, p < 0.066), higher initial median frequency (L1 increase from 58 to 64 Hz p < 0.001, L5 increase from 76 to 84 Hz p = 0.001) and improved questionnaire scores. The questionnaires Oswestry, Roland–Morris and SF-36 physical functioning correlated with the endurance time 0.69–0.93 and with L5 slope 0.01–0.93 and the highest correlations were found in women.

Conclusion

Both EMG and endurance time measurements are needed for evaluating fatigue in lumbar-disc herniation.
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Metadata
Title
Lumbar muscle fatigue and subjective health measurements in patients with lumbar disc herniation 2 years after surgery
Author
Åsa Dedering
Publication date
01-04-2012
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
European Spine Journal / Issue 4/2012
Print ISSN: 0940-6719
Electronic ISSN: 1432-0932
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-011-2109-7

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