Acute Care Physical Therapy Following DLIF
Document Type
Poster
Start Date
28-4-2026 12:00 PM
End Date
28-4-2026 2:00 PM
Description
Background: Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is a common cause of low back pain, radiculopathy, and functional decline in older adults. When conservative treatment fails, surgical intervention such as direct lateral intervertebral fusion (DLIF) may be indicated. Early mobilization after lumbar spine surgery is associated with improved short-term outcomes and reduced postoperative complications in the acute care setting.
Purpose: This case report describes physical therapy management following DLIF, highlighting early mobilization and functional training to support safe discharge and recovery.
Case Description: The patient was a 68-year-old male admitted for DLIF at L2–L3 due to lumbar radiculopathy. His medical history included hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, bladder cancer, asthma, and prior lumbar and cervical fusions. Postoperatively, he presented with right lower extremity weakness, gait instability, impaired balance, and low back pain. He required moderate assistance for bed mobility, minimal assistance for transfers, and contact guard assistance to ambulate four steps. Physical therapy was provided daily for six days, focusing on bed mobility, transfers, gait training, and education while maintaining spinal precautions.
Outcomes: By discharge, the patient required less assistance for bed mobility and transfers and demonstrated improved tolerance to upright activity. Ambulation distance varied due to pain and right foot cellulitis but progressed to 60 feet with contact guard assistance. Inpatient rehabilitation was recommended for continued recovery.
Discussion Early, task-specific mobilization promoted functional gains despite medical complexities. This case supports individualized, safety-focused rehabilitation to improve mobility and discharge readiness following lumbar spine surgery.
Recommended Citation
Townsend, Arden, "Acute Care Physical Therapy Following DLIF" (2026). School of Allied Health Professions Research Day. 5.
https://digitalscholar.lsuhsc.edu/ahrd/2026/posters/5
Acute Care Physical Therapy Following DLIF
Background: Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is a common cause of low back pain, radiculopathy, and functional decline in older adults. When conservative treatment fails, surgical intervention such as direct lateral intervertebral fusion (DLIF) may be indicated. Early mobilization after lumbar spine surgery is associated with improved short-term outcomes and reduced postoperative complications in the acute care setting.
Purpose: This case report describes physical therapy management following DLIF, highlighting early mobilization and functional training to support safe discharge and recovery.
Case Description: The patient was a 68-year-old male admitted for DLIF at L2–L3 due to lumbar radiculopathy. His medical history included hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, bladder cancer, asthma, and prior lumbar and cervical fusions. Postoperatively, he presented with right lower extremity weakness, gait instability, impaired balance, and low back pain. He required moderate assistance for bed mobility, minimal assistance for transfers, and contact guard assistance to ambulate four steps. Physical therapy was provided daily for six days, focusing on bed mobility, transfers, gait training, and education while maintaining spinal precautions.
Outcomes: By discharge, the patient required less assistance for bed mobility and transfers and demonstrated improved tolerance to upright activity. Ambulation distance varied due to pain and right foot cellulitis but progressed to 60 feet with contact guard assistance. Inpatient rehabilitation was recommended for continued recovery.
Discussion Early, task-specific mobilization promoted functional gains despite medical complexities. This case supports individualized, safety-focused rehabilitation to improve mobility and discharge readiness following lumbar spine surgery.