Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 6, 2026
Evaluation of Patients' Posture and Gait Profile After Lumbar Fusion Surgery by Video Rasterstereography and Treadmill Gait Analysis
Published on: March 23, 2019
Static and Dynamic Balance in Adults Undergoing Lumbar Spine Surgery: Screening and Prediction of Postsurgical
Anat V Lubetzky1, Avihai Soroka, Daphna Harel
1From the Department of Physical Therapy, Steinhardt School of Culture Education and Human Development, New York University, New York, NY (Dr. Lubetzky and Dr. Moffat), Spinal Research Laboratory, Department of Physical Therapy, The Stanley Steyer School of Health Professions, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel (Mr. Soroka and Dr. Masharawi), the Department of Applied Statistics, Humanities and Social Sciences, Steinhardt School of Culture Education and Human Development, New York University, New York, NY (Dr. Harel), Pediatric Orthopedic Spine Surgery, Nicklaus Children's Hospital, Coral Cables, Florida (Dr. Errico), The Spine Center, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY (Dr. Errico and Dr. Bendo), Spine Unit, Meir Medical Center, Kfar Saba, Israel (Dr. Leitner and Dr. Shabat), Department of Orthopedics, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel (Dr. Shabat), and Israel Spine Center, Assuta Hospital, Tel Aviv, Israel (Dr. Ashkenazi and Dr. Floman).
Introduction:
Balance and fall risk before and after lumbar surgery was assessed to determine whether balance at baseline predicts long-term postsurgical outcomes.
Methods:
Forty-three patients in the United States and Israel performed the single-leg stance (SLS) test, four square step test (FSST), and 8-foot up-and-go (8FUG) test before and 2 to 4 months after lumbar spine surgery. They completed the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and pain rating before and 12 months after lumbar surgery.
Results:
From baseline to follow-up, the SLS time was 3.74 seconds longer (P = 0.01), the FSST time was 1.94 seconds faster (P < 0.001), and the 8FUG time was 1.55 seconds faster (P = 0.02). Before surgery, 26% of the patients were considered high fall risk according to the FSST and 51% according to the 8FUG. Postsurgery, all patients could complete the physical tests, but 26% remained at high fall risk according to the 8FUG and 7.5% according to the FSST. The three physical measures together explained 30% of the variance in postsurgical ODI scores (P = 0.02). Age was not correlated with performance.
Discussion:
Risk of falling is higher than surgeons suspect. Balance tests (ie, SLS, FSST, and 8FUG) are quick and easy to administer. The findings support the importance of screening for balance and fall risk in adults undergoing lumbar spine surgery.
More Related Videos
14:52Computerized Dynamic Posturography for Postural Control Assessment in Patients with Intermittent Claudication
Published on: December 11, 2013
06:28Biomechanical Changes Related to Low Back Pain: An Innovative Tool for Movement Pattern Assessment and Treatment Evaluation in Rehabilitation
Published on: December 13, 2024