Does reduction in sciatica symptoms precede improvement in disability and physical health among those treated surgically for intervertebral disc herniation? Analysis of temporal patterns in data from the Spine Patient Outcomes Research Trial

Three months after surgery, patients reported reduced sciatica and pain-related disability. Improvements in pain and pain-related disability occurred within 3 months. Early reduction in pain-related disability is important because path analysis indicated that disability at 3 months was predictive of sciatica and physical health at 1 year.