The Effects of Vertebral Axial Decompression On Sensory Nerve Dysfunction
in Patients with Low back Pain and Radiculopathy:
Frank Tilaro, M.D. Dennis Miskovich, M.D.
Canadian Journal of Clinical Medicine Vol 6, No 1, January 1999
(page three of five)
The VAX-D table provides a monitored distraction force to the lumbar spine with a controlled energy time function unique to this medical device, lowering intradiscal pressure to the negative range (pressures are reduced to a low of negative 150mmHg). The table was specifically engineered with this purpose in mind. Andersson performed a review of all traction devices and concluded that none of the devices reduced intradiscal pressure to the negative ranges, in fact some devices actually increased intradiscal pressure (21). The indications for VAX-D are low back pain with or without radicular symptoms, persisting for 8 weeks or more. Patients with low back pain associated with tumor, infection, osteoporosis, bilateral pars defects, spondylolisthesis Grade 2, surgical hardware, and the cauda equina syndrome are not considered candidates for VAX-D therapy. Patients with severe lateral stenosis or central stenosis are not ideal candidates for VAX-D therapy since these conditions represent a different disease process. Patients with the post surgical failed back syndrome or fusion may be treated with VAX-D.
Table 2: CPT Scores and Grades
|
Pre Vax-d Score |
Pre Vax-d Score |
Pre Vax-d Score |
Pre Vax-d Grade |
Post Vax-d Score |
Post Vax-d Score |
Post Vax-d Score |
Post Vax-d Grade |
| Patient |
2 KHz |
250 Hz |
5Hz |
|
2 KHz |
250 Hz |
5 Hz |
|
| 1 |
-2 |
-2 |
-1 |
6.58 |
-2 |
-1 |
0 |
6.27 |
| 2 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
10 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 3 |
-1 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 4 |
0 |
-2 |
0 |
6 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 5 |
-1 |
-1 |
0 |
5.27 |
-1 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
| 6 |
0 |
0 |
-1 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 7 |
4 |
4 |
0 |
11 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 8 |
-1 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 9 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
10 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 10 |
-2 |
-2 |
-1 |
8.58 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 11 |
-1 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 11 |
-1 |
-1 |
0 |
5.27 |
-1 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
| 11 |
0 |
-1 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 12 |
-2 |
-2 |
-1 |
6.58 |
-2 |
-2 |
-1 |
6.58 |
| 13 |
-2 |
-2 |
0 |
6.31 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 14 |
0 |
0 |
-1 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 15 |
-2 |
-2 |
-1 |
6.58 |
-2 |
-1 |
0 |
5.27 |
| 15 |
-2 |
-2 |
0 |
6.31 |
1 |
-1 |
0 |
5.27 |
| 16 |
0 |
-2 |
-1 |
6.27 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 16 |
-2 |
-2 |
0 |
6.31 |
-2 |
-2 |
-1 |
6.58 |
| 16 |
-2 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
0 |
-1 |
0 |
5 |
| 17 |
0 |
0 |
-1 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
All exercise programs and physical therapy sessions are discontinued once the patient begins VAX-D therapy. Patients taking medications (NSAID's, non-narcotics, and narcotic medications) were allowed to continue with their medications. Patients in this study received treatments 3 to 5 times per week and averaged 23 total treatments.
RESULTS
There were 13 males and 4 females in the study. The average age was 40.8 yrs and the average duration of symptoms was 17.2 months. Three patients had multilevel involvement. CPT scores ranged from 5 (mild hyperesthesia) to 11 (anesthesia) prior to VAX-D therapy.
The results after VAX-D therapy were as follows: 14/22 nerves (64%) returned to normal function, 6/22 (27%) improved, 1/22 (4.5%) had no improvement and 1/22 (4.5%) was worse (Table 2). Ninety-one percent (91%) demonstrated improved neurological function measured by the CPT Neurometer after VAX-D therapy. The average neurometer grade before therapy was 6.36 and after therapy 2.09 (Figure 1). Overall improvement was 67%, statistically significant at p<0.05. Sixty-four percent (64%) of the patients achieved complete recovery of neurologic function.
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5
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