Methodologic evaluation of the lumbar disc syndrome.
Though the lumbar disc syndrome is a costly and ubiquitous affliction, effective evaluation of the disease process has been confounded by major unaddressed methodological short falls. Prominent difficulties include: inattention to the clinical boundaries of the syndrome, neglected co-morbid disease processes, comparison of unequal treatment groups and premature clinical data extrapolation, inadequate diagnostic validation, variability in surgical observation, and reliance upon follow-up techniques faulted by unaddressed distorting factors. Proposals for improvement include: formulation of suitable stratification subgroups emphasizing age and sign-symptom intensity and duration, techniques for improved diagnostic return from surgical exploration, suggestions toward improved quantitation of clinical testing procedures, and implantation of a quality of life scale.
D001416:Back Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000150:complications; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D009408:Nerve Compression Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D011379:Prognosis; D012017:Referral and Consultation