Low Back/Radicular Pain

Case Description:  33 y/o male with a hx of intermittent lower back flare ups on a yearly basis since the age of 17.  His symptoms flared several weeks prior to starting physical therapy while getting off his bike and had progressed to the point where he was having constant, severe L buttock and leg pain all the way down to his foot.  His function was severely limited and he was considering surgery.  His wife was with child and he was fearful he would not be able to care for her or their future child.  

Objective Measures: Patient was seen for 13 physical therapy visits over a 2 month period

Tests and Measures	Initial Evaluation	Day of Discharge from Physical Therapy
VAS for Pain	10/10	0-2/10
Oswestry Disability Scale	78% disability	14% disability
Trunk ROM	25% of expected for FLEX with report of severe provocation of L buttock/leg pain.	100% of expected all planes without c/o pain
Daily Tasks	Could only sit a few minutes at a time.  Unable to function for work.  Avoiding walking at all costs.  Requiring assistance for basic bed mobility.	Performing work activities without limitations.  Resumed normal fitness routine including squatting/deadlifting.

Patient comments 1 year after discharge: “I came to you and your team close to not walking and left getting back to life and into my normal routines.  We have since had our little one, who is now 9 months old and I am grateful every day that I am able to play with her and pick her up without severe back pain.  I have also been working out with pretty much no issues and I am moving like it was back 10+ years ago. It feels great!”

Sincerely,

Luke Vander Zouwen, DPT
Full Potential Physical Therapy