2003 Volume 9 Issue 1 Pages 131-136
The efficacy of therapeutic ultrasound (US) was assessed for residual symptoms in patients operated on with lumber herniated nucleus pulposus (HNP). Subjects were 20 patients with residual symptoms such as pain or numbness in their lower extremities postoperatively. US with the intensity of 1.5W/cm2 was perfprmed for 10 minutes once a day during hospitalization. The frequency of US-application was 4 to 23 times, and the average was 10.7 times. The resolution of residual symptoms was assessed at discharge. Outcome measurements were evaluated based on the type of HNP, the duration of symptoms, muscle weakness, and the degree of straight-leg-raising (SLR). US was effective in 90.0%of the patients. In outcome, it was less effective for the patients with transligamentous extrusion type. The duration of symptoms did not seem to adversely effect positive US treatment outcome. Patients with weak muscles were less responsive to US. A few patients with SLR of less than 30 degrees at the time of hospital admission demonstrated poor resolution of symptoms. We conclude that US is a very useful conservative therapy for the patients with postoperative residual symptoms due to HNP.
