Functional and economic outcome following microdiscectomy for lumbar disc herniation in 672 patients.

A retrospective assessment of 809 patients operated on in 1990-1998 was performed. A patient-based outcome questionnaire also was incorporated into the study. The outcome was graded according to the Functional Economic Rating scale. A total of 64% of the patients were relieved of their complaints 3.2-10.2 years (median 6.3 years) after lumbar disc surgery. An excellent outcome, defined as Prolo scale of 9 or 10, was achieved in 55.8%, a good outcome (Prolo scale 7 or 8) in 20.7%, a fair outcome (Prolo scale 5 or 6) in 11.4%, and a poor outcome (Prolo scale of </=4) in 12.1% of the patients. Patients with strenuous occupations had a significantly (P = 0.004) less favorable outcome than patients with less strenuous or sedentary occupations. Criteria for evaluating the results of treating lumbar spinal disorders vary widely. A more universal acceptance of common criteria for judging the outcome of spinal operations should facilitate comparisons among various methods of treatment.