NCTU
Newcastle Neurosurgery Clinical Trials Unit

Neurosurgical Clinical Trial Unit
Neurosurgical Clinical Trial Unit - Backswing

BACKSWING

Backswing
NO LONGER RECRUITING

Randomised controlled trial of inversion therapy in patients with pure single level discogenic disease with the aim of reducing the need for surgery.

BACKSWING is a trial to assess whether use of an inversion device in patients aged 18-45 years with pure single level lumbar discogenic disease producing unilateral sciatica improves outcome and lowers the incidence of the need for surgery as compared with usual physiotherapy treatment.


Brief inclusion / exclusion criteria

Inclusion:

  • Aged 18-55 years
  • Unilateral, nonsequestered protrusion shown on MRI imaging
  • No radiological evidence of disc protrusion at any other lumbar level
  • First attack of discogenic disease
  • Weight within 20% of the idealised norms for height and age


    • Exclusion:

  • Pregnancy
  • Use of analgesics or anti-inflammatory drugs for any other reason
  • Any significant cardiorespiratory disorder in the last six months or any other medical condition precluding a head down position
  • Symptoms which have been present for more than six months
  • Symptoms or signs of bladder impairment or an increase in neurological deficit
    		•
    Staff Involved

    Principal Investigators:

    Prof. A. D. Mendelow
    Dr. B. Gregson

    		 Assigned Registrar: Manju Prasad

    brains


    Last updated 29 Jan 2008
    © NCTU
    Email: NCTU@ncl.ac.uk