Evaluation of outcome following lumbar discectomy.

AIM: To assess the outcome of patients who underwent lumbar discectomy for sciatica as determined by return to work, residual functional disability and self reported pain measures.

METHODS

Ninety seven patients who had undergone L4-5 or L5-S1 discectomies for sciatica were reviewed 20 months after surgery. Variables assessed were: gender; length of preoperative time off work and compensation claims for treatment. Outcome was determined by current earning capacity, residual pain level and the Oswestry disability questionnaire.

RESULTS

The length of preoperative sick leave had a significant effect on all outcome measures of function, pain, ability to return to full time work and current compensation status. Those patients who had more than 6 months sick leave prior to operation were less likely to have a favourable outcome.

CONCLUSION

While chronicity of symptoms does not negate the indications for discectomy, the results suggest that the duration of preoperative leave needs to be considered prior to operation.