Resorption of extruded intervertebral disc herniation: Effect of physical therapy modalities

Abstract

We would like to share our experience withextruded lumbar disc herniation which was treatedwith non-surgical spinal decompression and physicaltherapy.A 29-year-old man presented with a six-monthhistory of lower back and right leg pain. He could notrecall experiencing any trauma or initiating factorbefore the pain began, and the pain had increasedover the last month. His pain increased when he wasmoving and he experienced numbness in his rightfoot. Medication had not been beneficial, and as aresult surgery for a herniated disc was proposed. Uponexamination, he had right L4 and L5 dermatomalhypoesthesia. The strength of the L5 muscle was 4/5on the right side, and the right Achilles tendon reflexwas hypoactive. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)performed six months prior to this exam showedL4-L5 extruded disc herniation and right L5 rootcompression (Figure 1).