According to various studies conducted around the world, a number of known factors affect the outcome following lumbar disc herniation surgery:
1-Reoperation: patients who have already undergone lumbar disc herniation surgery at least once are more likely to have a poor outcome than those undergoing surgery for the first time.
2-Presence of lumbar spinal canal stenosis associated with lumbar disc herniation.
3-Socio-occupational status: patients with a low level of education.
4-Psychological component: according to a recent study by Schade V et al., depression and occupational stress clearly have a negative effect on spinal surgery outcomes, even in the absence of morphological reasons to explain a poor result. However, support from a spouse or partner has been identified as a factor for a good outcome. Patients’ expectations of surgery have been shown to be positively correlated with high rates of recovery and satisfaction.
5-Presence of hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, or dyslipidemia (comorbidity).
6-Duration of radicular pain: better outcomes in patients operated on after three months and before six months from the onset of pain.
Sources:
Dr. Vicenç Gilete, Neurosurgeon & Spine Surgeon.
Schade V, Semmer N, Main CJ, et al. The impact of clinical, morphological, psychosocial and work-related factors on the outcome of lumbar discectomy
