CORE STABILITY PROGRAM VERSUS INTENSIVE EXERCISES AFTER LUMBAR DISCECTOMY.

Introduction: Discectomy is a surgical technique used for treatment of lumbar disc herniation. After the surgery; the patient suffers from back pain and limitation of motion which affect his functional ability. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare between the effect of core stability program and the effect of a intensive exercises on the L4-5 segmental lumbar flexion and the functional disability in patients with lumbar discectomy. Methods: Thirty male patients with L4-L5 open discectomy were divided on two groups; group (A) received core stability program, while group (B) received a intensive exercises. Treatment was applied for 12 sessions. Results: The results of this study revealed a significant difference of both variables in each of the groups, after treatment. There was also a significant difference of both variables between group (A) and group (B) after treatment. The improvements after core stability program were significantly more than after the intensive exercises. Conclusion: From the obtained results of the study, it can be concluded that L4-5 segmental lumbar flexion improved and the functional disability reduced after receiving core stability program and after receiving intensive exercises, but the patients who received the core stability improved more than patients who received the intensive exercises