[Persistent back pain, working situation and disability pension after lumbago surgery]

373 patients who underwent lumbar disc surgery at our department were submitted to a follow-up after 2-17 years. The aim of our study was to find quality indicators: absence of complications, postoperative status including work capacity, and patient satisfaction Questionnaires were returned by 95% of the patients and showed that 58% had a persistent but usually light back problem. 23% had changed to less strenuous work and 13% had qualified for a permanent disability pension. These two groups had significantly higher rates of recurrences and reoperations and were significantly less satisfied. We found no significant relationship between these two groups and a strenuous occupation, nor did we find any gender disparity. Those who qualified for a permanent disability pension were significantly older than the rest of the patients. Our results compare well with other reports.