Effect of Three Dimensional Mechanical Traction on Functional Outcomes in Patients with Discogenic Sciatica

Abstract Background: Sciatica is a common form of neuropathic pain affecting 5% of people. It is not a disease, but a group of symptoms caused by pressure on the spinal nerves. A goniome-ter is a device used in physical therapy to measure joint range of motion (ROM). The Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) is a simple, easily understood pain intensity measure. The Oswestry Disa-bility Index (ODI) is a self-reported outcome measure for low back pain. Mechanical traction is a treatment method for spinal pain syndromes, although scientific evidence is contradictory. Aim of Study: To examine the effect of specific three-di-mensional traction on functional outcomes in patients with dis-cogenic sciatica. Material and Methods: Thirty patients diagnosed as dis-cogenic sciatica were recruited and assigned randomly to two groups of equal size: The study group (A) and the control group (B). The study group (A) received three-dimensional lum-bar mechanical traction, while the control group (B) received non-specific lumbar traction. Both groups received traction for 15 minutes at the session. The treatment lasted for four con-secutive weeks, three times per week. All patients assessed by NRS, ODI and measuring hip flexion ROM by goniometer. Results: Within groups comparisons, there was a statisti-cally significant reduction in Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and increase inhip flexion ROM when comparing pre- and post-treatment conditions (p=0.001). Comparison between groups post treatment re-vealed non significant difference in ODI, NRS and hip flexion ROM between study and control groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: There was no significant difference between effect of three dimensional lumbar mechanical traction and traditional nonspecific mechanical traction on functional out-comes in patients with discogenic sciatica and both methods were effective.