The correlation of selected physical examination findings and the efficacy of physiotherapy for chronic lumbosacral pain.

BACKGROUND Lumbosacral pain is a significant social problem. Effective treatment of this ailment should be based on thorough diagnostic work-up. The goal of the present study was to determine which physical examination findings can help predict a positive outcome of physiotherapy, including kinesitherapy and physical therapy, aimed at symptomatic improvement. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study group consisted of 50 patients with lumbosacral pain syndromes presenting as lumbalgia and ischialgia. RESULTS Statistically significant correlations were ascertained between certain physical examination findings before the therapy and after the therapy. CONCLUSION The crossed Lasegue sign was the only component of the physical examination that correlated with the dynamic efficacy of the rehabilitation treatment.