[The use of underwater horizontal traction and mechanotherapy in the complex treatment of degenerative spondylolisthesis of the lumbosacral spine: a pilot clinical study].

Underwater traction of the spine is a physiotherapeutic method that combines the effects of mechanical traction and fresh water of indifferent temperature and seems promising for the treatment of pain in the lower back, which is due to the physiological basis of the mechanism of action on the spinal motion segment by eliminating muscle spasm and restoring the biomechanics of the spine.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effectiveness of underwater horizontal traction in combination with mechanotherapy in patients with non-stenosing unstable degenerative spondylolisthesis of the lumbosacral spine of the 1st degree, accompanied by pain.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: The clinical study included 14 patients (mean age 50.21 years). Patients underwent underwater horizontal traction of the spine according to the modified Pushkareva-Vozdvizhenskaya method in a variable mode, the procedures were performed every other day, for a course of 6 procedures. After completion of the traction procedure, patients were recommended to put on a fixing lumbosacral corset, in which they rested for 30 minutes in the supine position. At the end of the rest period, the patients performed training of the back muscles with biofeedback on the mechanotherapeutic complex of simulators for 30 minutes daily, except for weekends, for a course of 10 procedures.

RESULTS: All patients completed the course of treatment, during the procedures no side effects or deterioration were noted. During the treatment, motor and daily activity significantly improved according to the Oswestry scale ( p =0.002), the severity of the pain syndrome and its effect on the patient's activity decreased, according to the Roland-Morris questionnaire ( p =0.003). According to an objective assessment of the muscle strength of the lumbosacral spine at the initial level, no deviations from the normative parameters were revealed, however, during the treatment, a significant increase in strength was noted in all muscle groups.

CONCLUSION: Underwater horizontal traction of the spine in variable mode according to Pushkareva-Vozdvizhenskaya is an effective and safe method of conservative treatment of unstable non-stenosing degenerative spondylolisthesis of the 1st degree, accompanied by back pain, which helps to reduce the intensity of the pain syndrome and improve the daily motor and social activity of patients. The traction method should be supplemented with therapeutic exercises using mechanotherapeutic simulators to achieve a clinical result.