Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Medical Treatment versus Manual Therapy in Patients with Acute and Subacute Radiating Back and Leg Pain Pilot Study

Background: Due to an annual prevalence rate of more than 70 % back pain treatment is considered to be a major challenge for the German health care system. Patients with radiating dorsal leg pain following lumbar nerve root disorders are commonly treated conservatively before consideration of surgical options. The effectiveness of the various often applied conservative treatment options is a subject of considerable debate in literature. Objective: Evaluation of the effectiveness of medical treatment/periradicular injections versus manual therapy/neural mobilisation in patients with acute and subacute radiating back and leg pain. Method: 24 adult patients with acute to subacute radiating back and leg painwere randomly allocated to two intervention groups with 12 participants each receiving either medical treatment or manual therapy over a four-week intervention period. Results: 22 patients completed treatment, two patients dropped out to receive surgery. Statistical analysis revealed improvement of pain perception by using a visual analogue scale as well as of neurogenic symptoms and motor impairment using the North American Spine Society's lumbar module after 4 weeks. Statistical comparison between the two groups did not detect any statistically significant differences. Conclusion: Both medical-orthopaedic treatment and manual therapy are considered to be effective treatment options for adult patients with acute and subacute radiating back and leg pain.