Clinical Research Directory

Inclusion Criteria: 1. Tricare beneficiary receiving care in a participating MHS facility. 2. Age 18 - 75 years at the time of enrollment 3. Scheduled to undergo lumbar spine surgery within the next 60 days. Surgery may be laminectomy with or without fusions including lateral, transforaminal, posterior or anterior approach for 1-4 lumbar levels. Surgery may be performed in military or civilian facility 4. Indication for surgery may include disc herniation, degenerative disc disease, lumbar stenosis, degenerative spondylolisthesis or scoliosis. 5. Anticipates ability to attend treatment sessions over a 16 week period following the surgical procedure with no planned absence of 2 weeks or more for training, vacation or any purpose Exclusion Criteria: 1. Indication for surgery is infection, fracture, tumor, trauma or other indication requiring emergency surgery. 2. A microsurgical technique as the primary procedure, such as an isolated laminotomy or microdiscectomy 3. Surgical procedure is a revision or participant has undergone a lumbar surgical procedure in the past year. 4. Contra-indication to participation in post-operative exercise program including severe orthopedic injury limiting mobility, wheelchair dependency, neurological disorder impacting mobility, reliance on supplemental oxygen for daily activity, etc. 5. Pending a medical evaluation board, discharge from the military for medical reasons, or pending or undergoing any litigation for an injury