Substantiation of the effectiveness of osteopathic correction in the treatment of patients suffering from post-puncture syndrome

Introduction. Post-puncture syndrome (PPS) is a complex of symptoms that occurs 1–2 days after spinal anesthesia or lumbar puncture, and the headache is a leading symptom. Currently, there is no effective method of non-invasive treatment of PPS. Based on the possible role of dura mater damage in the PPS pathogenesis, it is reasonable to assume that the identification and osteopathic correction of somatic dysfunctions in the respective regions may be effective in the treatment of patients suffering from PPS.

The aim of the study is to substantiate the possibility of using osteopathic correction in the treatment of patients suffering from post-puncture syndrome.

Materials and methods. The study involved 40 patients with PPS syndrome aged 20 to 50 years who were hospitalized after surgery with spinal anesthesia using. Patients were randomized into two groups — control (20 patients) and main (20 patients). All study participants were prescribed bed and medium drinking (25–30 ml/kg body weight) regimen. Participants of the main group additionally received a single hour session of osteopathic correction on the first day after the operation. All patients were examined at the start of treatment and on the third day after the start of a treatment. The severity of pain was assessed using a visual analogue scale (VAS, from 0 to 10 points), the severity of PPS and the osteopathic status.

Results. Patients suffering from PPS are characterized by the presence of intense pain syndrome (5–6 points according to VAS); they are characterized by a headache that worsens during taking a vertical position and is accompanied by dizziness and nausea. These patients are characterized by the presence of biomechanical disorders in the regions of the head, dura mater, lower extremities and neck (structural component). The use of osteopathic correction is accompanied by a statistically significant (p<0,05) decrease in the pain syndrome intensity, relief of PPS symptoms, and a decrease in the detection frequency of the most regional somatic dysfunctions.

Conclusion. Based on the results obtained, it seems possible to recommend the inclusion of osteopathic correction in the complex of therapeutic measures for patients suffering from PPS.

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