Development of an Exercise Rehabilitation Functional Group for Individualized Exercise After Lumbar Spine Surgery

Individualized exercise therapy is crucial for effective postoperative rehabilitation. However, a widely accepted, standardized framework for measuring individual exercise capabilities after lumbar spine surgery (LSS) is lacking. This study aimed to develop a novel Exercise Rehabilitation Functional Group (ERFG) classification system to enable systematic, individualized rehabilitation after LSS. Eight exercise parameters and two clinical factors were assessed in 428 volunteers within 12 weeks of single-segment LSS to establish reference data for the ERFG. The study cohort included 411 participants (mean age 67.10 ± 11.60; 128 males and 283 females) with an average postoperative interval of 42.96 ± 20.25 days. Key metrics included lumbar spine ROM (mean 74.24 ± 25.30°), trunk muscle strength (mean 15.71 ± 5.14 kg), trunk muscle endurance (mean 95.80 ± 35.66 s), whole-body flexibility (mean 3.30 ± 10.65 cm), cardiopulmonary capability (mean 433.91 ± 118.75 m), gait with affected single leg (mean 36.26 ± 5.98%), single-leg balance (median 13.60 s), coordination capability (mean 8.21 ± 3.23 s), EuroQol 5-Dimension 5-Level score (mean 9.39 ± 4.17), and visual analog scale for low back pain (mean 3.78 ± 2.55). Data were categorized into five grades using Cajori's five-grade mathematical method. Significant correlations were observed between the eight exercise parameters and two clinical factors. This study established a foundational framework for standardizing baseline exercise capabilities after LSS. This ERFG system may provide a basis for individualized rehabilitation strategies to enhance patient outcomes.