Results of Early Active Rehabilitation 5–7 Years After Surgical Treatment for Lumbar Disc Herniation

A prospective and randomized study was conducted of 52 patients who were treated by two home training programs after surgical treatment of lumbar disc herniation. Twenty-six patients followed an early active treatment program, and 26 patients followed a less active training program (control group). Forty-nine patients (82%) answered a questionnaire 5-7 years postoperatively. The reoperation rate was two of 49 patients. None of these patients had followed the early active treatment program. Patients with signs of depression before surgery were not significantly less satisfied with the outcome than patients with no signs of depression before surgery.