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Abstract
The purpose of this case study is to describe an intervention using standing lumbar harness traction to treat a patient with lumbar radicular pain. A 60-year-old male presented with a 3 month history of right buttock and posterior thigh pain. The patient had positive unilateral straight leg raise and slump tests, and ankle evertor weakness. He exhibited symptom alleviation with lumbar deloading tests. His main functional limitation was difficulty sitting. The patient was seen for five visits. Initial intervention included standing harness traction. The patient's status, including neurological signs and symptoms, was monitored. Passive psoas stretching and instruction in self-stretch for psoas, gastrocnemius, and soleus was later included. Functional instruction and training in body mechanics and back care was carried out prior to discharge. Harness traction reduced neurological signs and radicular pain in this patient. He exhibited good functional recovery after five visits. Harness traction intervention should be considered in patients with complaints of low back and leg pain who exhibit symptom alleviation with lumbar deloading tests.