A behavioral approach to determining the prognosis in patients with lumbosacral radiculopathy

The workers' compensation patient with low back pain has long been an enigma to the rehabilitation team. A patient with a seemingly minor injury may have a lengthy disability period, while another with serious pathology may be rehabilitated quickly. The purpose of the study this article describes was to determine which factors have the most significant impact on the length of disability. The results revealed that behavioral factors are the most significant in determining a patient's length of disability. A behavioral profile, as part of a nursing assessment, can tell the rehabilitation nurse who is at risk for a lengthy disability period, thus allowing early intervention.