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A Prospective Observational Study of Return to Work after Single Level Lumbar Discectomy
Suk-Hyung Kang1, Jin Seo Yang1, Steve Sungwon Cho2
1Department of Neurosurgery, Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University Medical Center, Hallym University College of Medicine, Chuncheon, Korea.
Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
|November 12, 2020
Summary
Most patients successfully return to work after lumbar discectomy (LD). Employment type influences return to work (RTW) duration, but over 40% report no work capability loss six months post-surgery.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Orthopedics
- Occupational Health
Background:
- Lumbar disc herniation (LDH) is a prevalent condition requiring neurosurgical intervention.
- Lumbar discectomy (LD) is a common procedure for LDH, yet data on return to work (RTW) is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To prospectively investigate the time to RTW after LD.
- To assess pain status at RTW.
- To determine the RTW failure rate at 6 months post-surgery.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of 67 patients with daily/regular jobs undergoing LD.
- Pain assessed using Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and Numeric Rate Scale (NRS).
- Monthly telephone interviews tracked RTW status and work capability.
Main Results:
- Average RTW time was 5.1 weeks; 6 patients failed to RTW or resigned within 6 months.
- At RTW, pain scores (NRS, ODI) significantly improved.
- Self-employed and contracted workers had longer RTW times compared to regular employees (p=0.011).
Conclusions:
- Employment type impacts RTW duration after LD.
- The majority of patients achieve successful RTW.
- >40% reported no loss of work capability at 6 months, potentially reducing patient apprehension.
