Serum Cytokine Levels in Patients with Lumbal Disc Herniation and Effectiveness of Exercise

The aim of the study is to investigate serum cytokine levels and the efficacy of lumbar stabilization exercises in patients with lumbar disc herniation with and without neurological deficits. Patients who applied to Hacettepe University Hospitals Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department with low back pain complaints and were referred for treatment will be included in the study. Healthy individuals of similar age, height and weight will also be included for references to normal serum cytokine levels. All patients will be evaluated twice, before and 6 weeks after treatment. The treatment program will be applied 3 times a week for 6 weeks under the supervision of a physiotherapist.

Inclusion criteria

for patients with disc herniation:

• Diagnosis of disc herniation (protrusion, extrusion, sequestered disc)
• not an indication for lumbar disc herniation surgery
• for patients with neurological deficits, loss of strength, decrease in DTRs, loss of sensation and at least one positive SLR test and presence of radicular pain
• pain intensity of VAS ≥ 3
• male and female patients between the ages of 20-55

Inclusion criteria

for heathy people

• not having low back pain complaints in the past
• female and male healthy individuals between the ages of 20-55

Exclusion criteria

• systemic or inflammatory disease
• pregnant or breastfeeding women
• surgery of lumbar region
• fracture of lumbar vertebrae
• lumbar scoliosis
• medication use for psychiatric disorders
• tumor
• allergy
• neurological disease
• alcohol-drug use
• generalized musculoskeletal pain