Lumbar discectomy outcomes vary by herniation level in the Spine Patient Outcomes Research Trial.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The Spine Patient Outcomes Research Trial showed an overall advantage for operative compared with nonoperative treatment of lumbar disc herniations. Because a recent randomized trial showed no benefit for operative treatment of a disc at the lumbosacral junction (L5-S1), we reviewed subgroups within the Spine Patient Outcomes Research Trial to assess the effect of herniation level on outcomes of operative and nonoperative care.

Methods

The combined randomized and observation cohorts of the Spine Patient Outcomes Research Trial were analyzed by actual treatment received stratified by level of disc herniation. Overall, 646 L5-S1 herniations, 456 L4-L5 herniations, and eighty-eight upper lumbar (L2-L3 or L3-L4) herniations were evaluated. Primary outcome measures wer

SUBMITTER: Lurie JD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2657310 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature