Introduction. The aim of the study was to evaluate the functional outcomes in degenerative disc disease patients by the type of herniation. Methods. The study covered 48 individuals (28 females and 20 males) aged 18-35 years who were found with a degenerative disc disease in lumbar spine (protrusion or extrusion according to the American Society of Neuroradiology). The participants were divided into two groups by the type of herniation: the protrusion and the extrusion group. The functional outcome was assessed with the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) questionnaire and the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). Results. Statistically significant differences were shown in ODI scores in both groups. The extrusion group demonstrated a 7.6% higher level of functional disability related to lumbar spine pain when compared with the protrusion group. The NRS results were not statistically significant between the groups. A statistically significant difference was observed between the groups during standing position, during sleep and in sex life. Respectively a 27%, 32%, and 28% greater number of individuals in the extrusion group reported problems related to these three daily activities when compared with the protrusion group. Conclusions. Our study results revealed statistically significant differences in general ODI scores between the groups. Moreover, patients with protruded lumbar disc showed better outcomes in routine activities when compared with the extrusion group.

The orthotics is one of the means of impact in rehabilitation and it determines the functional efficiency of the patient [1]. To be able to achieve that aim it must change constantly. Progress in this area is determined by a number of factors including: technological progress, increasing number of injuries, sometimes very complex, increase in diseases of affluence (vascular diseases, cancer, neurological diseases, osteoporosis, diabetes mellitus), where orthoses may be applied during the treatment, interdisciplinarity manifested in the creation of science research teams, increasing expectations of the patients for the equipment improvement in a functional and cosmetic aspect.