Back pain, sciatica and disability following first-time conventional haemilaminectomy for lumbar disc herniation. Use of "Low Back Pain Rating Scale" as a postal questionnaire
Manniche, C.; Asmussen, K.H.; Vinterberg, H.; Rose-Hansen, E.B.; Kramhøft, J.; Jordan, A.
Danish Medical Bulletin 41(1): 103-106
1994
ISSN/ISBN: 0907-8916 PMID: 8187559 Document Number: 430729
To determine the value of "Low Back Pain Rating Scale" as a postal questionnaire, a retrospective study was undertaken of patients who had undergone first-time lumbar disc surgery 14-72 months previously. Rate of response was 86% (261/304). From the results, it was concluded that 87% of the patients felt that a satisfactory surgical outcome was obtained; 67% had minor or major functional restrictions of their daily activities; 65% experienced significant low-back symptoms in the period prior to follow-up examination; and 57% experienced sciatica. Thirty-seven patients were receiving pensions in the postoperative period due to continued back pain. "Low Back Pain Rating Scale" used as a postal questionnaire was found to be useful in determining general overall assessment status in patients who had undergone lumbar surgery. This evaluation method could be used as a quality control in future studies regarding this patient group.