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Table 3 Selected prognostic variables for subgroup analysis

From: Prolonged conservative treatment or 'early' surgery in sciatica caused by a lumbar disc herniation: rationale and design of a randomized trial [ISRCT 26872154]

Demographic Variables

   • Age < 39 years versus > 39 years,

   • Intellectual versus physical demanding job,

Anamnestic and Neurological Variables

   • Acute start LSRS versus slow start,

   • History of backpain versus no history,

   • Influence of coughing, sneezing on complaints versus no influence,

   • Difficulty to put on shoes and/or socks versus no difficulty,

   • Straight leg raising ≤ 30 degrees versus > 30 degrees,

   • Positive crossed straight leg raising sign versus negative sign,

   • VAS-pain > 70 versus < 69 mm,

   • Tingling/numbness in pain area versus no tingling (9),

   • Pain leg worse by sitting versus no worsening (9),

   • McGill affective high score versus low score,

Radiological Variables

   • MRI disc sequester versus contained disc herniation,

   • MRI circumferential gadolinium enhancement versus no enhancement of disc herniation,

   • Mediolateral versus median and lateral disc herniation,

   • High versus low height of disc level (height 9 mm),

Miscellaneous Variables

   • Preference for surgery versus no preference for surgery.

   • Disc Herniation at L5S1 vs. L4L5