711 - The Comparison of Effects of Early Versus Late Rehabilitation after Lumbar Surgery

Each year, approximately 500,000 lumbar surgeries are performed, yet many patients experience debilitating post-operative effects, including muscle weakness, decreased mobility, generalized pain, and depression. Current post-surgical rehabilitation programs have helped patients regain muscle strength, joint function, and increase in movement, in addition to utilizing a physical and/or occupational therapist to aid with the motivation and well-being of the patient.

Design: This paper analyzed 12 of the 15 articles selected to compare the benefits and drawbacks between early rehabilitation and late rehabilitation in relation to post-lumbar surgery.

Results: Contrary to the idea that early rehabilitation allows patients to have better post-operative outcomes in strength, mobility, and function, the reviewed studies displayed opposite results. Early rehabilitation initiated 6 weeks post-surgery led to more spending while not necessarily providing better results compared to late rehabilitation at 12 weeks post-surgery, which was not only more cost-effective but also led to better patient results and compliance.

Conclusions:

Our findings indicate that utilization of late rehabilitation, approximately 12 weeks post-surgery, would benefit the patient significantly compared to early rehabilitation, particularly within the areas such as post-surgical return of function and reduction of negative post-operative effects. Furthermore, in line with current long-term patient care thought processes, performing late rehabilitation has shown to improve quality of life along with decreasing the amount of spending required for the rehabilitation itself.