Surgical vs nonoperative treatment for lumbar disk herniation: the Spine Patient Outcomes Research Trial (SPORT): a randomized trial.

ABSTRACT:

Context

Lumbar diskectomy is the most common surgical procedure performed for back and leg symptoms in US patients, but the efficacy of the procedure relative to nonoperative care remains controversial.

Objective

To assess the efficacy of surgery for lumbar intervertebral disk herniation.

Design, setting, and patients

The Spine Patient Outcomes Research Trial, a randomized clinical trial enrolling patients between March 2000 and November 2004 from 13 multidisciplinary spine clinics in 11 US states. Patients were 501 surgical candidates (mean age, 42 years; 42% women) with imaging-confirmed lumbar intervertebral disk herniation and persistent signs and symptoms of radiculopathy for at least 6 weeks.

Interventions

Standard open diskectomy vs nonoperative treatmen

SUBMITTER: Weinstein JN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2553805 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature