Early versus late initiation of rehabilitation after lumbar spinal fusion: economic evaluation alongside a randomized controlled trial.

Study Design: Economic evaluation conducted alongside a randomized controlled trial with 1-year follow-up.

Objective: To examine the cost-effectiveness of initiating rehabilitation 6 weeks after surgery as opposed to 12 weeks after surgery.

Summary Of Background Data: In a previously reported randomized controlled trial, we assessed the impact of timing of rehabilitation after a lumbar spinal fusion and found that a fast-track strategy led to poorer functional ability.

The effect of early initiation of rehabilitation after lumbar spinal fusion: a randomized clinical study.

Study Design: A multicenter randomized clinical trial including 82 patients.

Objective: To examine the effect of early initiation of rehabilitation after instrumented lumbar spinal fusion.

Summary Of Background Data: Lumbar spinal fusion has been performed for more than 70 years.