Neuropathic Pain and Postural Stability in Patients With Lumbar Radiculopathy

Postural Stability Test will be performed via Biodex Balance System. This test assesses the patient's ability to maintain the center position (zero point) on a moving balance platform. The test protocol is performed with the following parameters: Duration: 20 seconds, Stability Level: 8, and Stance: two legs. Patients will complete a 1-minute pre-test trial to get used to the device. Then the test will be performed with 3 trials. The patient's performance will be noted as the overall stability index. A high stability index value indicates poor balance and stability.

Postural Stability Test will be performed via Biodex Balance System. This test assesses the patient's ability to maintain the center position (zero point) on a stable platform. The test protocol is performed with the following parameters: Duration: 20 seconds, Stability Level: Static, and Stance: both legs, alternating. Patients will complete a 1-minute pre-test trial to get used to the device. Then the test will be performed with 3 trials. The patient's performance will be noted as the overall stability index. A high stability index value indicates poor balance and stability.

It will be assessed using the painDETECT questionnaire. The PainDETECT questionnaire contains nine questions, all based on self-assessment. Seven items are rated on a six-point Likert scale, ranging from 0-5. These seven questions query some sensations such as burning, tingling or prickling, allodynia, numbness, etc. Apart from these seven items, one item assesses the radiation of pain and another item asks about the temporal characteristics of pain. A total score of 12 or less indicates neuropathic component is unlikely, 13-18 means a possible neuropathic component and 19 or greater means that a neuropathic component is likely. In addition, there are three items in a separate section that measure the severity of pain at the time of assessment, on average, and at most in the last month. This section is not included in the assessment.

It will be assessed using Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale. This scale contains 6 domains of activity affected by back pain: bed/rest (items 1-3), sitting/standing (items 4-6), ambulation (items 7-9), movement (items 10-12), bending/stooping (items 13-16), and handling of large/heavy objects (items 17-20). For each item, a 6-point Likert scale (0-5) to indicate the level of difficulty is used, where 0 = "not difficult at all," 1 = "minimally difficult," 2 = "somewhat difficult," 3 = "fairly difficult," 4 = "very difficult," and 5 = "unable to do." The total score is calculated by adding up the scores of each items. Scores range from 0 (no disability) to 100 (maximal disability).