Sciatica caused by lumbar disc herniation
Conditions
Interventions
Patients who fit the in- and exclusion criteria for the trial for lumbar disc herniation will be randomised into two groups.
1. The first group will receive microsurgical discectomy in their own hos
Sponsors
The Dutch Health Care Insurance Board
Postbus 320
Diemen
1110 AH
Netherlands
Eligibility
Inclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: 1. Patient age 18-70 years; 2. At least 8 weeks of persisting sciatic pain with or without paresis or sensory impairment; 3. Patients must qualify for surgical intervention; 4. Clear unilateral lumbar disc herniation on CT- or MRI imaging with a anteroposterior diameter less than 33% of the spinal canal; 5. Informed consent.
Exclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria: 1. Previous discectomy at the same level; 2. Cauda equina syndrome; 3. Lytic or degenerative spondylolisthesis; 4. Spinal/lateral recess stenosis; 5. Intervertebral disc space of < 7 mm; 6. Signs of sequestration; 7. Pregnancy; 8. Serious co-morbidity, either somatic or psychiatric; 9. Emigration in the near future; 10. No- or insufficient knowledge of the Dutch language.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Roland Disability Questionnaire for Sciatica. | — |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| A cost-effectiveness-analysis will be carried out on the basis of health-related utility factors. This will include costs of sickness absence and long-term disability. Neurological and radiological parameters will also be assessed. | — |
Contacts
Public ContactB. Schenk
Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), P.O. Box 9600
Outcome results
None listed