[High level of satisfaction among patients despite persistent symptoms in the mid-long-term following surgery for lumbosacral radicular syndrome].

Authors :: Luijsterburg PA
Schreuder HK
Verhagen AP
Avezaat CJ
Koes BW
Source :: Nederlands tijdschrift voor geneeskunde [Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd] 2005 Jul 02; Vol. 149 (27), pp. 1516-20.
Publication Year :: 2005
Abstract: Objective: To determine the mid-long-term outcomes after surgery in patients with lumbosacral radicular syndrome (LRS) and to identify prognostic factors for persisting LRS symptoms.<br />Design: Descriptive retrospective and prospective.<br />Method: A total of 250 consecutive patients operated on by 7 neurosurgeons in four hospitals between May and December 2001 were selected from medical records. They were asked to take part in a telephone questionnaire at 6 and 19 months after operation. They had all undergone discectomy for LRS at L4-L5 or L5-S1 and were aged from 18 to 65.<br />Results: Of the 250 patients, 163 participated in the study: 63% reported that they still had LRS-related symptoms 19 months after surgery. However, severe leg pain had decreased in 83% of the patients. In general the patients were satisfied with their treatment. Female gender and an age of 51-65 were prognostic factors for persistent LRS symptoms.<br />Conclusion: More than half of the patients reported LRS symptoms 19 months after surgery.

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