PURPOSE: To explore how patients with sciatica rate the 'bothersomeness' of paresthesia (tingling and numbness) and weakness as compared with leg pain during 2 years of follow-up. METHODS: Observational cohort study including 380 patients with sciatica and lumbar disc herniation referred to secondary care. Using the Sciatica Bothersomeness Index paresthesia, weakness and leg pain were rated on a scale from 0 to 6. A symptom score of 4-6 was defined as bothersome. RESULTS: Along with leg pain, the bothersomeness of paresthesia and weakness both improved during follow-up. Those who received surgery (n = 121) reported larger improvements in both symptoms than did those who were treated without surgery. At 2 years, 18.2% of the patients reported bothersome paresthesia, 16.6% reported bothersome leg pain, and 11.5% reported bothersome weakness. Among patients with no or little leg pain, 6.7% reported bothersome paresthesia and 5.1% bothersome weakness. CONCLUSION: During 2 years of follow-up, patients considered paresthesia more bothersome than weakness. At 2 years, the percentage of patients who reported bothersome paresthesia was similar to the percentage who reported bothersome leg pain. Based on patients' self-report, paresthesia and weakness are relevant aspects of disc-related sciatica.
PURPOSE: To explore how patients with sciatica rate the 'bothersomeness' of paresthesia (tingling and numbness) and weakness as compared with leg pain during 2 years of follow-up. METHODS: Observational cohort study including 380 patients with sciatica and lumbar disc herniation referred to secondary care. Using the Sciatica Bothersomeness Index paresthesia, weakness and leg pain were rated on a scale from 0 to 6. A symptom score of 4-6 was defined as bothersome. RESULTS: Along with leg pain, the bothersomeness of paresthesia and weakness both improved during follow-up. Those who received surgery (n = 121) reported larger improvements in both symptoms than did those who were treated without surgery. At 2 years, 18.2% of the patients reported bothersome paresthesia, 16.6% reported bothersome leg pain, and 11.5% reported bothersome weakness. Among patients with no or little leg pain, 6.7% reported bothersome paresthesia and 5.1% bothersome weakness. CONCLUSION: During 2 years of follow-up, patients considered paresthesia more bothersome than weakness. At 2 years, the percentage of patients who reported bothersome paresthesia was similar to the percentage who reported bothersome leg pain. Based on patients' self-report, paresthesia and weakness are relevant aspects of disc-related sciatica.
Authors: Eva Vingård; Monica Mortimer; Christina Wiktorin; Gunilla Pernold R P T; Kerstin Fredriksson; Gunnar Németh; Lars Alfredsson Journal: Spine (Phila Pa 1976) Date: 2002-10-01 Impact factor: 3.468
Authors: Sara Lener; Christoph Wipplinger; Sebastian Hartmann; Wolfgang N Löscher; Sabrina Neururer; Matthias Wildauer; Claudius Thomé; Anja Tschugg Journal: Trials Date: 2017-11-25 Impact factor: 2.279
Authors: Teddy Oosterhuis; Veerle R Smaardijk; P Paul Fm Kuijer; Miranda W Langendam; Monique H W Frings-Dresen; Jan L Hoving Journal: Occup Environ Med Date: 2019-07-11 Impact factor: 4.402