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.