Table 3

Selected prognostic variables for subgroup analysis

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

Peul et al. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 2005 6:8   doi:10.1186/1471-2474-6-8