EFFECTIVENESS OF SPINAL MOBILIZATION WITH LEG MOVEMENT (SMWLM) IN PATIENTS WITH LUMBAR RADICULOPATHY (L5 / S1 NERVE ROOT) IN LUMBAR DISC HERNIATION

Background: Various manual therapy techniques are known to treat discogenic pain. Research is limited and controversial in the effectiveness of manual therapy for treatment of lumbar radiculopathy due to lumbar disc disease. In manual therapy, Mulligan has described spinal mobilisation with leg movement technique, for improvement in lumbar lesion resulting in pain and other signs below knee. Purpose of the study: To find out if Mulligan’s Spinal Mobilisation with Leg Movement technique (SMWLM) in conjunction with conventional treatment is better than conventional treatment alone in improving leg pain intensity (VAS), localization of leg pain (body diagram by Donelson), back specific disability (RMQ) in patients with lumbar radiculopathy (L5/ S1 nerve root) in lumbar disc herniation. Methods: The study is a randomized controlled trial performed on 30 patients with lumbar radiculopathy. Both the groups received back extension exercises, hot pack, precautions and ergonomic advice. The experimental group received SMWLM technique in addition to the conventional treatment. Outcomes included leg pain intensity, Roland Morris Questionnaire and body diagram by Donelson. Results: There was significant improvement in VAS (p=0.000), body diagram (p=0.000 for experimental group and p=0.003 for conventional group) and Roland Morris Questionnaire score (p=0.000) within the groups. Between group analysis showed significant improvement in VAS (p=0.000), body diagram score (p=0.000). Although there was significant improvement in Roland Morris Questionnaire score within the groups but there no significant difference between the group (p=0.070). Conclusion: Spinal Mobilization with Leg Movement technique in addition to conventional physical therapy produced significant improvement in leg pain intensity, location of pain and back specific disability in patients with lumbar radiculopathy in lumbar disc herniation.