Abstract
Thirty consecutive patients who were followed over six months after disk removal were studied, especially to evaluate the relationship between the postoperative disabilities and rehabilitation.
The osteoplastic hemifaceto laminectomy (Rondo) with extradural approach was done in sixteen patiens, the osteoplastic faceto laminectomy in thirteen and an another technic was performed in one.
The results was excellent in twenty, good in nine and unimproved in one. Eight patients with good result left some disabilities.
Roentgenograms were taken followed by Hasegaw'as method and the measurements were done by the compass test of Morgan.
In many patients with some disabilities the narrowing of the intervertebral space and the instability of the vertebrae were seen roentgenographically and the mobility of the verte-brae was more or less restricted.
Patients who were allowed out of bed before six weeks after the operation were likely to show the narrowing of the intervertebral space and the instability, and patients who were not permitted to get up for eight weeks or more and who were not encouraged to exercise were prone to have disabilities and the restriction of the lumbar mobility.
From this study we now employ the following after treatment: The patient is kept in bed rest in plaster back shell, which is changed to back support after four weeks. From a few days after the operation the massage of the lower extremities and leg exercises are encouraged. Four weeks after the operation exercises for spinal and abdominal muscles are begun in supine, prone and lateral position. The patient is allowed out of bed in six weeks and begins vigorous remedial exercises in gymnasium.
