[Lumbar disk prolapse--who will recover first?]

Abstract

This study was set up to show whether certain social and demographic characteristics play any significant role for the length of disease in patients with lumbar disc herniation. All patients operated upon during one year (n = 171), were included. Of these, 168 had been operated for the first time. Four dates were recorded: Onset of symptoms, referral to hospital, operation and recovery. They were grouped according to sex, age, domicile (town, rural area), employed/unemployed, socialclass and way of referral. The total period from onset of symptoms to recovery was significantly shorter for those who were employed as opposed to unemployed and even shorter with increasing socialclass. The period from onset of symptoms to referral was responsible for most of this difference. None of the factors sex, age or domicile were found to be related to outcome parameters. It is recommended that general practitioners are especially aware of the late referral of patients with lumbar disc herniation from the lower social groups.