Twenty individuals (8 males, 12 females) ranging in age from 25 years to 78 years with symptom-expressant lumbar spondylolisthesis were studied over a period of three years.
The trial consisted of questioning the value of intermittent lumbar flexion-distraction (Cox Maneuver) when applied as a mechanism in the treatment of lumbar spondylolisthesis. Variables selected for statistical cross tabulation include: Patient demographics, etiology of pain, distribution of pain, duration of pain, anatomy of the lumbar spine, lesion classification clinical findings, previous forms of treatment and familial incidence of low back pain versus the responses of the patient to intermittent lumbar flexion-distraction.
Seven individuals (35% of study) were reported as having an excellent response (intervals of 6 months or longer between distractions). Three individuals (15%) were reported as having a very good response (intervals of three months between distractions). Five individuals (20%) reported as having a good response (intervals of one month between distractions). Five individuals (20%) reported a poor response to distraction claiming no symptomatic improvement. There were no reports of individuals getting worse as a result of distraction.
No claim is made that intermittent lumbar flexion-distraction alters the amount of anterior displacement of the involved vertebra. However, intermittent lumbar flexion-distraction may prove to be an advance in the ambulatory conservative clinical management of symptom-expressant lumbar spondylolisthesis.
Author keywords: Spondylolysis, spondylolisthesis, Cox maneuver, spine, low back pain, intermittent lumbar flexion-distraction
Author affiliation: Private practice limited to orthopaedic and neurologic lesions of the lumbar spine, South Bend, Indiana
This abstract is reproduced with the permission of the publisher. Article only available in print.
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