Timelines and Associated Factors for Return-to-Work of Patients With Painful Lumbar Radiculopathy Who Undergo Lumbar Microdiscectomy Followed by Physiotherapy
At 52 weeks following lumbar microdiscectomy and postoperative physiotherapy for painful lumbar radiculopathy, approximately two-thirds of individuals returned to work in their original roles, while some transitioned to different roles. Work-related and personal factors play a key role in determining the timing of this return. Recognizing these predictors in clinical practice can help surgeons, physiotherapists, and occupational health professionals guide patient expectations, provide more individualized workplace counselling, and support realistic, timely, and sustainable work reintegration.
Authors
- Martijn W. Heymans (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3889-0921)
- Nicolaas A.P. Franken (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5522-9406)
- Martijn S. Stenneberg (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1969-9152)
- Michel W. Coppieters (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3958-4408)
- Stijn J. Willems (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9809-2094)
- G.G.M. Scholten-Peeters (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4409-9554)
- Servan Rooker (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6965-3937)
Institutions
- Griffith University (AU)
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel (BE)
- University of Antwerp (BE)
- Pain in Motion (BE)
- Kliniek ViaSana (NL)
- SOMT University of Physiotherapy (NL)
- Department of Health (ZA)
- Health & Safety in Sports (NL)
- Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (NL)
- Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (NL)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Spine
- Published
- 2025-07-14
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1097/brs.0000000000005443
- Primary Topic
- Spine and Intervertebral Disc Pathology
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00