Restoring Function: Evidence-Based Rehabilitation Strategies for Motor, Sensory, and Balance Deficits after Spinal Anaesthesia in Zawia City

Abstract

Patients undergoing spinal anaesthesia for caesarean delivery often experience temporary motor and sensory deficits, typically regaining the ability to sit within 4-6 hours. While long-term complications are rare, effective rehabilitation remains limited. Anaesthesia mainly affects lower-limb motor function and dorsal column sensitivity, affecting 97% of patients. Early physiotherapy, particularly passive range-of-motion exercises within 40 days post-surgery, can improve motor recovery and shorten hospital stays; evidence shows that targeted mobilisation and therapeutic exercises outperform standard care. This research examines rehabilitation strategies for women after caesarean delivery, focusing on deficits, pain, and recovery. Thirteen women participated in a 3-month programme in Zawia, Libya, from February to April 2026. An experimental design was used to assess pain, motor, and sensory functions before and after rehabilitation, using standardised scales and balance tests. We collected data on height, weight, abdominal dimensions, pain intensity, and recovery assessment responses. Analysis was conducted using SPSS V27 and paired-samples t-tests, with a significance level of p < 0.05. Some follow-up data were missing due to attendance concerns. The findings indicate that the evidence-based rehabilitation programme markedly improved physical, functional, and clinical outcomes for patients with deficits after spinal anaesthesia in Zawia City. Participants experienced decreased abdominal and pelvic measures, improved body composition, and significant decreases in pain intensity. The Oswestry Disability Index showed increases in functional independence, which led to statistically significant improvements in all assessed variables, demonstrating the programme's efficacy in recovering function and improving quality of life.