"Serial MRI of 20 patients treated with
the decompression table shows in our study up to 90% reduction of subligamentous
nucleus herniation in 10 of 14. Some rehydration occurs detected by T2 and
proton density signal increase. Torn annulus repair is seen in
all."
Eyerman, Edward MD. Simple pelvic traction gives
inconsistent relief to herniated lumbar disc sufferers. Journal of Neuroimaging.
Paper presented to the American Society of Neuroimaging, Orlando, Florida
2-26-98.
"Eighty-six percent of ruptured intervertebral
disc (RID) patients achieved 'good' (50-89% improvement) to 'excellent' (90-100%
improvement) results with decompression. Sciatica and back pain were relieved."
"Of the facet arthrosis patients, 75% obtained 'good' to 'excellent' results
with decompression."
C. Norman Shealy, MD, PhD, and Vera Borgmeyer, RN,
MA.
Decompression, Reduction, and Stabilization of the Lumbar Spine: A Cost-Effective
Treatment for Lumbosacral Pain. American Journal of Pain Management Vol.
7 No. 2 April 1997
A total of 296 subjects with low back pain (LBP) and evidence of a
degenerative and/or herniated intervertebral disk at 1 or more levels of
the lumbar spine. We excluded patients involved in litigation and those
receiving workers’ compensation.
Intervention: An 8-week
course of prone lumbar traction, using the vertebral axial decompression
(VAX-D) system, consisting of five 30-minute sessions a week for 4
weeks, followed by one 30-minute session a week for 4 additional weeks.
Main Outcome Measures: The
numeric pain rating scale and the Roland-Morris Disability
Questionnaire (RMDQ) were completed at preintervention, discharge
(within 2 weeks of the last visit), and at 30 days and 180 days after
discharge. Intention-to-treat strategies were used to account for those
subjects lost to follow-up.
Results: A total of 250 (84.4%)
subjects completed the treatment protocol. On the 30-day follow-up, 247
(83.4%) subjects were available; on the 180-day follow-up, data were
available for 241 (81.4%) subjects. We noted significant improvements
for all postintervention outcome scores when compared with
preintervention scores (P<.01).
Conclusions: Traction
applied in the prone position using the VAX-D for 8 weeks was
associated with improvements in pain intensity and RMDQ scores at
discharge, and at 30 and 180 days after discharge in a sample of
patients with activity-limiting LBP. Causal relationships between these
outcomes and the intervention should not be made until further study is
performed using randomized comparison groups.
***Supported, in part, by a grant from Independence Blue Cross
Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Volume 89, Issue 2 , Pages 269-274, February 2008
"Results showed that 86% of the 219 patients
who completed the therapy reported immediate resolution of symptoms, while
84% remained pain-free 90 days post-treatment. Physical examination findings
showed improvement in 92% of the 219 patients, and remained intact in 89%
of these patients 90 days after treatment."
Gionis, Thomas MD; Groteke, Eric DC. Surgical
Alternatives: Spinal Decompression. Orthopedic Technology Review. 2003; 6
(5).
"All but two of the patients in the study
improved at least 30% or more in the first three weeks.""Utilizing the outcome
measures, this form of decompression reduces symptoms and improves activities
of daily living."
Bruce Gundersen, DC, FACO; Michael Henrie, MS II,
Josh Christensen, DC. A Clinical Trial on Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression
Using Vertebral Axial Distraction Delivered by a Computerized Traction Device.
The Academy of Chiropractic Orthopedists, Quarterly Journal of ACO, June
2004
"Distraction results in disc rehydration,
stimulated extracellular matrix gene expression, and increased numbers of
protein-expressing cells."
Guehring T, Omlor GW, Lorenz H, Engelleiter K, Richter W, Carstens C,
Kroeber M. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Heidelberg, Germany.
Disc distraction shows evidence of regenerative potential in degenerated
intervertebral discs as evaluated by protein expression, magnetic resonance
imaging, and messenger ribonucleic acid expression analysis. Spine. 2006
Jul 1;31(15):1658-65
Spinal Decompression
Therapy "...allowed imbibition and complete reduction of the visualized
herniation."
"Spinal decompression therapy provided an effective means
of treatment for this patient's symptoms resulting from discal herniation
(extrusion) with associated impingement of the adjacent nerve root."
"MR imaging proved to be a useful and non-invasive technique in monitoring
the efficacy of decompression therapy as it applies to this case."
"Decompression of the spine proved to be superior to the other forms of
conservative care when applied to our patient. The patients' results were
both subjectively favorable and objectively
quantified."
Treatment of an L5-S1 Extruded Disc Herniation Using a DRX-9000 Spinal
Decompression Unit: A Case Report. Terry R. Yochum, DC, DACBR, Fellow, ACCR,
and Chad J. Maola, D.C.Chiropractic Economics, Vol 53: Issue 2.
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