A two-year prospective follow-up study of the outcome after surgery in patients with slipped lumbar disk operated upon for the first time.

57 patients who were operated upon for the first time for slipped lumbar disk have been investigated in a prospective blind follow-up design. In both the preoperative and postoperative evaluation objective as well as subjective conditions have been considered, and the surgeons have not re-examined the patients. There is a 100% follow-up of the patients. We found that the following preoperative conditions are associated with surgical outcome, 6 and 24 months postoperatively: Medical parameters like statement of pain and surgical findings; social parameters such as being employed, duration of education, and whether you get sufficient social support from family and friends; duration of sick-leave, actions for damages, and number of life events. Psychological parameters such as pain drawing and the MMPI-scales: F, K, Hs, D, Hy, Pa, Pt, Sc, Ma, and Ad. In the statistical analysis multiple linear regression analysis is used, which allows evaluation of the different parameters compared with each other. It is found that conditions such as being employed, increase of the MMPI-scale Ad, alone could explain the 42% difference in surgical outcome. Good outcome is correctly predicted in 88% of the cases with observed good outcome. Poor outcome is correctly predicted in 54% of the cases with observed poor outcome.