In contrast with the intuitive feeling of physicians many worrisome MRI findings do not correlate with patient outcome in patients with sciatica. Physicians should for example not automatically... Show moreIn contrast with the intuitive feeling of physicians many worrisome MRI findings do not correlate with patient outcome in patients with sciatica. Physicians should for example not automatically ascribe persistent or recurrent symptoms of sciatica to the presence of abnormalities visible on MRI. This thesis enables physicians to reshape the mindset of many persons thinking that knowing imaging findings can only be good. Seeing MRI abnormalities of patients with sciatica should not always be believing. Show less
The frequently diagnosed lumbar disc herniation can disappear by natural course, but still leads to high low back surgery rates. The optimal period of conservative care, before surgery is executed,... Show moreThe frequently diagnosed lumbar disc herniation can disappear by natural course, but still leads to high low back surgery rates. The optimal period of conservative care, before surgery is executed, was unknown. It is surprising that scientific evidence was lacking which justified “early” surgery. Surgery, after 6-12 weeks of sciatica, was compared to prolonged conservative care in 283 patients in a randomized study. Primary outcomes were perceived recovery, leg pain intensity and functioning. Early surgery resulted in a 2 times faster recovery rate, compared to prolonged conservative care. From the latter group 39 percent of patients could not evade surgery. Within one year, however, both groups presented similar recovery rates and outcome. The impossibility to sit, because of sciatica, seemed to be a good argument to decide for early surgery. Intense pain and disability were predictors for delayed surgery. Compared to men, females exhibited a 3 times higher odds to develop chronic pain. The higher medical costs of early surgery were fully compensated by quick resumption of working capacity. From a medical point of view one may favor a prolonged wait-and-see strategy but our western society urges patients to decide for early surgery to resume daily activities. Show less
