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Case Study | Physiotherapy | Volume 15 Issue 8, August 2026 | Pages: 1582 - 1585 | India
Effect of Calf Stretching with Core Stabilization Exercises on Ankle Dorsiflexion Strength and Gait in Chronic Post-Laminectomy Syndrome: A Case Report
Abstract: Background: Post-laminectomy neurological deficits can leave a patient with lower-limb weakness, numbness, poor ankle movement, balance trouble, and a slower gait. Physiotherapy is meant to help bring back strength, mobility, and some independence. This case looks at what happened after a focused physiotherapy programme in a patient with post-laminectomy neurological deficits after PIVD surgery. Case Presentation: A 40-year-old man with lumbar PIVD had laminectomy and decompression. After surgery, he had weakness in the left lower limb, less ankle dorsiflexion, sensory changes on the dorsum of the foot, gait difficulty, and low-back pain (NPRS 4/10). His ODI score was 38%, which points to moderate disability. Intervention: He took part in an 8-week physiotherapy programme with calf stretching, core stabilization, ankle dorsiflexor strengthening, neuromuscular stimulation, balance training, gait retraining, and functional exercises, plus a home exercise programme. Results: Pain dropped from 7-8/10 to 2-3/10, while ankle dorsiflexion increased from 10° to 17° and tibialis anterior strength went from 3+/5 to 5/5. Walking distance rose from 200 m to 800 m. TUG improved from 13 to 9 seconds, and ODI fell from 38% to 7%. About 90-92% of rehabilitation goals were achieved. Conclusion: This physiotherapy programme, focusing on calf flexibility, core stability, ankle dorsiflexion strength and gait training, may improve pain, mobility and recovery in chronic neurological deficits after laminectomy. Larger studies with longer follow-up are needed to confirm whether these gains last.
Keywords: Post laminectomy neurological deficit, Prolapsed intervertebral disc, Lumbar laminectomy, Physiotherapy rehabilitation, Myotomal weakness, Gait training, Muscle strengthening, Functional recovery
How to Cite?: Bhaskar Bidare, "Effect of Calf Stretching with Core Stabilization Exercises on Ankle Dorsiflexion Strength and Gait in Chronic Post-Laminectomy Syndrome: A Case Report", Volume 15 Issue 8, August 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 1582-1585, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=MR26821115806, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/MR26821115806