Thesis (M.Sc.)-Cairo University, 2024.

Bibliography: pages 48-54.

Background: Sciatica is a common form of neuropathic pain affecting 5% of people. It is not
a disease, but a group of symptoms caused by pressure on the spinal nerves. Traction is one
of the most used physical therapy procedures for disc pathology.Using a machine to apply a
constant controllable traction or decompression force to the lumbar spine is known as
mechanical traction of the spine. One of the main effects of applying mechanical traction is
an increase in the volume of the intervertebral foramen. This increases the amount of space
available for nervous tissue, and may thus reduce or eliminate nerve root irritation. The Spine
mechanical traction at three-dimensional mechanical traction offers additional patient-
specific options like lumbar lateral flexion, three-dimensional decompression pressure
adjustment, leg resting position, sacral inclination and rotation adjustments.
Aim of study: To examine the effect of specific three-dimensional traction on functional
outcomes in patients with discogenic sciatica.
Materials and Methods: thirty patients diagnosed as discogenic sciatica were recruited and
assigned randomly to two groups of equal size: the study group (A) and the control group
(B). The study group (A) received three-dimensional lumbar mechanical traction, while the
control group (B) received non-specific lumbar traction. Both groups received traction for 15
minutes at the session. The treatment lasted for four consecutive weeks, three times per week.
All patients assessed by NRS, ODI and measuring hip flexion ROM by goniometer.
Results: Within groups comparisons, there was a statistically significant reduction in
Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and increase in hip flexion
ROM when comparing pre- and post-treatment conditions (p = 0.001). Comparison between
groups post treatment revealed non significant difference in ODI, NRS and hip flexion ROM
between study and control groups (p > 0.05).
Conclusion: There was no significant difference between effect of three dimensional
lumbar mechanical traction and traditional nonspecific mechanical traction on functional
outcomes in patients with discogenic sciatica and both methods were effective.

تم مشاركة 30 مريضاً تم تشخيص إصابتهم بعرق النسا غضروفي المنشأ وتم توزيعهم عشوائياً على مجموعتين متساويتين في الحجم: مجموعة الدراسة (أ) والمجموعة الضابطة (ب). تلقت مجموعة الدراسة (أ) شدًا ميكانيكيًا قطنيًا ثلاثي الأبعاد، بينما تلقت المجموعة الضابطة (ب) شدًا قطنيًا مختارا. تلقت كلتا المجموعتين قوة شد لمدة 15 دقيقة في الجلسة. واستمر العلاج لمدة أربعة أسابيع متتالية، ثلاث مرات في الأسبوع. تم تقييم جميع المرضى بواسطة مقياس تقييم الألم العددي ومؤشر الإعاقة أوسويستري وقياس انثناء مفصل الفخذ بواسطة مقياس الزوايا. لم يكن هناك فرق كبير بين تأثير الشد الميكانيكي القطني ثلاثي الأبعاد والشد الميكانيكي التقليدي على النتائج الوظيفية لدى المرضى الذين يعانون من آلام عرق النسا غضروفي المنشأ وكانت كلتا الطريقتين فعالتين.

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Text in English and abstract in Arabic & English.