Cigdem Tuzun

A comparison of inverted spinal traction and conventional traction in the treatment of lumbar disc herniations

The purpose of this investigation of lumbar disc herniation patients was to compare the effi cacy of the inversion spinal traction and the conventional mechanical spinal traction on several clinical parameters and computed tomography. This investigation consisted of 29 patients with low back pain and sciatica due to lumbar disc herniation. Patients were randomly assigned into two groups: an inversion spinal traction that was applied to 15 patients, and a conventional traction that was applied to 14 patients for ten sessions. The efficacy of the treatments was evaluated based upon clinical parameters before, immediately after, and three months after the treatment. Computed tomographic (CT) investigation was done before and immediately after the treatment. Both methods of traction were found to be clinically effective. Although there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups based upon the clinical parameters, CT fi ndings of the conventional traction group tended to show more improved parameters than the inverted spinal traction group. Reasons for better results of the conventional traction are discussed and the necessity for further investigations on this topic is emphasized.