Lumbar disc herniation Digestive System Other abdominal hernia
Conditions
Interventions
Lumbar microdiscectomy versus continued non-surgical care. The non-surgical group was intended to mimic the natural course of healing of disc herniation, thus there was no specific program. The patien
passive forms of treatment were discouraged. Treatment in the operative arm involved having a disc operation and a period of convalescence after that. Duration of treatment in that sense was about six
Sponsors
Finnish Centre for Welfare and Health (Finland)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Inclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: 1. Aged 20 to 50 years, either sex 2. Sciatic pain of 6 - 12 weeks' duration 3. Sciatica below knee and at least one physical finding suggestive of nerve root involvement 4. Computed tomography (CT) verified disc extrusion or sequester compatible with the clinical symptoms and findings
Exclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria: 1. Spontaneous resolution of sciatic symptoms during a minimum follow-up of two weeks 2. Sick leave of more than three months' duration preceding randomisation 3. Spondylolisthesis 4. Symptomatic spinal stenosis 5. Previous spine surgery 6. Pregnancy 7. Major medical or post-traumatic conditions confounding the assessment of effectiveness of treatment 8. Mental or behavioural disorder jeopardising the attachment to the trial protocol
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Leg pain (Visual Analogue Scale [VAS]). Assessed 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years and 6 years post randomisation. A ten-year follow-up will take place in due course. | — |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| 1. Back pain (VAS) 2. Recovery of working ability (VAS) 3. Satisfaction with treatment (VAS) 4. Disability associated with back pain (Oswestry index) 5. Self-assessed global recovery (Likert scale 0 - 6) 6. Physical findings Assessed 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years and 6 years post randomisation. A ten-year follow-up will take place in due course. | — |
Countries
Finland
Outcome results
None listed