Results of Stability Exercises on Thickness of Deep Abdominal Muscles during Functional Tasks in a Patient with Failed Back Surgery Syndrome, Using Ultrasonography: A Case Report

There is evidence that changes in the deep trunk muscular activity remain in patients with low back pain (LBP) following the lumbar decompression surgery. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of stability exercises on the pain, disability and activity of transverse abdominal (TrA) muscle during the voluntary and functional tasks in a patient with the failed back surgery syndrome.

Case Description: 

The subject was a 68-year-old woman who underwent the spinal decompression surgery with the high levels of constant postoperative pain and radicular symptoms and disability. She was undergoing the stability exercise for an 8-week period. Outcomes: The patient reported the noticeable improvements in her pain and disability following the completion of her stability exercise program. The Remarkable improvement in TrA muscle thickness was also observed.

This case report indicates short and long-term effect of stability exercises program on pain, disability and, TrA muscle thickness during abdominal hollowing and standing postural task. Therefore, doing stability exercises, as an effective intervention, can be advised for patients with LBP after the lumbar decompression surgery.