• Hiroshi Kobayashi, Takuya Nikaido, Koji Otani, Kazuyuki Watanabe, Kinshi Kato, Yoshihiro Kobayashi, Michiyuki Hakozaki, Takuya Kameda, Yoichi Kaneuchi, Miho Sekiguchi, Shoji Yabuki, Shin-Ichi Konno, and Yoshihiro Matsumoto.
• Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Japan.
• Spine. 2024 Jun 11.

Study DesignWe conducted a retrospective review of data from patients who underwent surgical treatment for lumbosacral radiculopathy.ObjectiveTo assess the effectiveness of the foot tapping test (FTT) in evaluating lower limb motor function in patients with lumbosacral radiculopathy pre- and post-surgery.Summary Of Background DataLumbosacral radiculopathy is becoming increasingly common in aging populations. Despite standard treatments, paralysis often leads to incomplete postoperative recovery, necessitating early detection and interventions.MethodsWe enrolled individuals who underwent surgery for lumbosacral radiculopathy at our facility between 2009 and 2020. Patients with a history of lumbar surgeries, dialysis, rheumatoid arthritis, and transitional vertebrae were excluded. The FTT score was measured by having the sole of the foot tap as many times as possible for 10 s while keeping the heel in contact with the floor. The L4, L5, and S1 groups were assigned using the scores on the side of the radiculopathy, and the control group was assigned using the scores on the intact side. Data were analyzed using Dunnett's test for group comparisons and paired t-tests for pre-post-surgery comparisons.ResultsOf the 522 eligible patients, 80 (159 nerve roots, one patient with hemi-prosthetic leg) were analyzed. The preoperative FTT scores in the L4 and L5 groups were significantly lower than those in the control group, indicating functional impairment. One year post-surgery, all groups showed improvements in FTT scores, with the L5 group exhibiting significant improvements compared to the control; this was supported by the results of sensitivity analyses considering the effects of paralysis and pain.ConclusionThe FTT is a valuable tool for the early detection of lower limb motor dysfunction in lumbosacral radiculopathy, particularly for L5 nerve root impairment, where it aids in timely surgical intervention and may improve postoperative outcomes and quality of life.Copyright © 2024 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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