Presentation of a new MMPI scale to predict outcome after first lumbar diskectomy.

In a pilot study MMPI was presented preoperatively to 57 patients operated for the first time for lumbar disk herniation. Six months and 24 months postoperatively, the patients were asked about their degree of pain, health status regarding back illness, and social functioning. An analysis of the individual MMPI questions in relation to outcome was performed, and on this basis we propose a new scale, the S.M. scale, which could predict poor outcome in either follow-up in 89% of the cases with poor outcome.