Table 2.

Primary and secondary outcomes from early surgery (ES) versus prolonged conservative treatment (PCT) for patients with sciatica. Values are means (SE) unless stated otherwise and are based on intention to treat, repeated measurements analysis

Outcomes	8 weeks				26 weeks				52 weeks				104 weeks
	ES	PCT	Difference (95% CI)		ES	PCT	Difference (95% CI)		ES	PCT	Difference (95% CI)		ES	PCT	Difference (95% CI)
Disability*	6.1 (0.5)	9.2 (0.5)	3.1 (1.7 to 4.3)		4.0 (0.5)	4.8 (0.5)	0.8 (−0.5 to 2.1)		3.3 (0.5)	3.7 (0.5)	0.4 (−0.9 to 1.7)		3.1 (0.5)	2.6 (0.5)	0.5 (−0.8 to 1.8)
Leg pain†	10.2 (1.9)	27.9 (1.9)	17.7 (12.3 to 23.1)		8.4 (1.9)	14.5 (1.9)	6.1 (2.2 to 10.0)		11.0 (1.9)	11.0 (1.9)	0 (−4.0 to 4.0)		11.0 (1.9)	9.0 (1.9)	−2 (−6.0 to 2.0)
Back pain†	14.4 (2.1)	25.7 (2.1)	11.3 (5.6 to 17.4)		15.5 (2.2)	17.8 (2.1)	2.3 (−3.6 to 8.2)		14.2 (2.2)	16.5 (2.1)	2.3 (−3.6 to 8.2)		15.9 (2.2)	17.3 (2.1)	1.4 (−4.5 to 6.3)
SF-36 bodily pain	62.8 (2.1)	54.4 (2.0)	−8.4 (−13.5 to −3.2)		76.1 (1.1)	72.8 (1.9)	−3.3 (−8.4 to 1.8)		81.2 (2.0)	78.5 (1.9)	−2.7 (−7.9 to 2.6)		78.4 (1.9)	80.7 (1.8)	2.3 (−2.7 to 7.3
SF-36 physical functioning	71.2 (1.7)	61.9 (1.9)	−9.3 (−14.2 to −4.4)		79.1 (1.9)	77.6 (1.7)	−1.5 (−6.4 to 3.4)		84.2 (1.8)	82.0 (1.9)	−2.2 (−7.2 to 2.8)		82.3 (1.9)	83.6 (1.8)	1.3 (−3.7 to 6.3)
Patients with satisfactory recovery (%)‡	81.2	36.5	44.7 (34.2 to 55.0)		77.4	70.8	6.6 (−3.7 to 17.0)		85.7	82.5	3.2 (−5.4 to 11.9)		81.3	78.9	2.4 (−7.2 to 12.0)

*Roland disability questionnaire for sciatica. Scores range from 0 to 23, with higher scores representing worse disability.

†Measured on 100 mm visual analogue scale, with 0 representing no pain and 100 the worst pain ever experienced.

‡“Complete” and “nearly complete” scores on 7-point Likert scale of global perceived recovery.