Long-term strength assessment of postoperative diskectomy patients.

A test battery was used to measure abdominal and back muscle strength and endurance in 20 patients at least 1 year after surgical diskectomy. There were ten men and ten women. Data on isometric and isokinetic performance were compared with previously reported normal values. The data showed that every strength parameter tested except male isokinetic flexion strength showed at least a 30% decrease when compared with normal values. Compared with strength data on these same patients immediately after surgery, a 2-tailed Student t test demonstrated a significant difference only in male isokinetic strength (P less than 0.10) and in female isokinetic strength (P less than 0.05). No other difference was found in isometric strength or endurance compared with data obtained from these patients 4 to 6 weeks postoperatively. From these data, it is obvious that more intensive physical therapy is necessary to improve postoperative strength in patients undergoing surgical diskectomy. These data allow for the design of specific isometric, isokinetic, and endurance rehabilitation programs for the postoperative diskectomy patient.