Table 1 Selection criteria for patient eligibility

Inclusion:

   *Age 18–70 years

   *Persistent Radicular pain lasting more than 6–8 weeks

   *Operation indication

   *Disc herniation confirmed at MRI

   *Unilateral disc herniation smaller or equal to 1/3 of the spinal canal

   *Informed consent

Exclusion:

   *Previous surgery at the same disc level

   *Cauda equina Syndrome

   *Spondylolytic or degenerative spondylolisthesis

   *Central spinal canal stenosis

   *Pregnancy

   *Severe somatic or psychiatric illness

   *Planned (e)migration to another country in the year after the inclusion

   *Inadequate verbal or writing skills in Dutch language