ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Lumbar percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy can decompress nerve root compression caused by herniated lumbar disc. Postoperative rehabilitation not only includes the recovery of surgical trauma, but also the recovery of lumbar muscle damage accompanied by lumbar disc herniation and the recovery of pelvic-leg function imbalance. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness and feasibility of staged rehabilitation program of lumbar motor chain based on McKenzie’s technique after lumbar percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy. METHODS: Totally sixty-two patients with lumbar disc herniation who were treated in the Beijing Bo’ai Hospital of China Rehabilitation Research Center from January 2012 to December 2018 underwent percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy. The patients were randomly divided into experimental group and control group, 31 cases in each group. The experimental group performed remote staged rehabilitation guidance based on McKenzie’s technology according to pre-set rehabilitation program for postoperative rehabilitation of lumbar motion chain: 2-6 weeks after operation as the first stage, 7-12 weeks as the second stage and 13-24 weeks as the third stage. Control group received regular postoperative rehabilitation. Visual analogue scale score, Japanese Orthopaedic Association score, Oswestry Disability Index, and SF-36 score were assessed in both groups pre-rehabilitation and 6, 12, and 24 weeks post-rehabilitation. Cross sectional area of the multifidus of the lumbar spine was detected under MRI 12 weeks post-rehabilitation. Gait analysis was conducted 24 weeks post-rehabilitation by using three-dimensional motion acquisition and analysis system. This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Beijing Bo’ai Hospital of China Rehabilitation Research Center (approval No. 2019-011-1). RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) After rehabilitation, visual analogue scale score, Japanese Orthopaedic Association score, Oswestry Disability Index, and SF-36 score were improved to different degrees in both groups compared with those before rehabilitation. Visual analogue scale score and Oswestry Disability Index were lower in the experimental group than those in the control group at 6 and 12 weeks (P 0.05). (3) Gait analysis exhibited that the ratio of left to right in the supporting phase of the experimental group was higher than that of the control group at 24 weeks (P < 0.05). (4) Results suggest that the staged rehabilitation program after percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy for lumbar disc herniation is in line with the characteristics of postoperative recovery of lumbar disc herniation, and has good effectiveness and feasibility.
ABSTRACT
In rats, ageing results in dysfunctional patterns of micturition and diminished sexual reflexes that may reflect degenerative changes within spinal circuitry. In both sexes the dorsal lateral nucleus and the spinal nucleus of the bulbospongiosus, which lie in the L5-S1 spinal segments, contain motor neurons that innervate perineal muscles, and the external anal and urethral sphincters. Neurons in the sacral parasympathetic nucleus of these segments provide autonomic control of the bladder, cervix and penis and other lower urinary tract structures. Interneurons in the dorsal gray commissure and dorsal horn have also been implicated in lower urinary tract function. This study investigates the cellular localisation of PG-21 androgen receptors, steroid receptor co-activator one (SRC-1) and the phosphorylated form of c-AMP response element binding protein (pCREB) within these spinal nuclei. These are components of signalling pathways that mediate cellular responses to steroid hormones and neurotrophins. Nuclear expression of PG-21 androgen receptors, SRC-1 and pCREB in young and aged rats was quantified using immunohistochemistry. There was a reduction in the number of spinal neurons expressing these molecules in the aged males while in aged females, SRC-1 and pCREB expression was largely unchanged. This suggests that the observed age-related changes may be linked to declining testosterone levels. Acute testosterone therapy restored expression of PG-21 androgen receptor in aged and orchidectomised male rats, however levels of re-expression varied within different nuclei suggesting a more prolonged period of hormone replacement may be required for full restoration.