Background: The management of patients with chronic post-surgical low back pain can be very challenging to surgeons, physiotherapists, and patients alike. Subsequent surgery is often associated with post-operative complications and even lower levels of success than the initial spinal surgery. Physiotherapy is often recommended as the first-line management, however, debate exists amongst physiotherapists regarding the optimal treatment strategy. A key focus of this debate has been the use of manual therapy in chronic pain populations, leading clinicians to reevaluate its use.
Case description: A 44-year-old female presented to physiotherapy with a 13-year history of persistent pain, having had a spinal fusion 12 years prior, following a skiing accident. Her primary complaints were pain and decreased self-efficacy. The patient was treated with a 12-week multimodal approach consisting of manual therapy, exercise rehabilitation, and pain neuroscience education.
Outcomes: The patient had a significant reduction in the Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and the Fear Avoidance Belief Questionnaire Physical Activity Subscale (FABQ-PA) scores following the intervention. She returned to running and cycling, reporting that pain was something she would 'work with instead of against'.
Discussion: This case study suggests that manual therapy can enhance an individualized biopsychosocial approach in the physiotherapy management of a patient with chronic post-surgical low back pain. Further research is needed to evaluate optimal intervention dosages and effective strategies in the management of patients with chronic low back pain following spinal surgery.
Keywords: Chronic pain; biopsychosocial; exercise rehabilitation; manual therapy; pain neuroscience education.