Preoperative factors that influence recovery of leg strength after lumbar microdiscectomy
Investigation of Preoperative Factors Influencing the Outcome of Motor Deficits in Patients Undergoing Lumbar Microdiskectomy
This project will try to find which before-surgery factors predict how well adults with leg weakness from a herniated lower-back disc get their strength back after microdiscectomy.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 40 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Aristotle University Of Thessaloniki Academic / other |
| Locations | 3 sites (Kavala and 2 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT07413302 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This is a prospective, multicenter observational prognostic study enrolling adult patients with lower limb paresis caused by a single-level lumbar disc herniation who undergo microdiscectomy at three neurosurgical departments in Greece. The study focuses on two primary preoperative factors—severity of paresis and duration of paresis—and five secondary factors: age, body mass index, diabetes mellitus, anatomical level of the herniated disc, and disc morphology. Muscle strength of the most affected lower-limb muscle will be measured preoperatively and postoperatively using the 0–5 MRC scale to determine change in function. The goal is to identify which preoperative features predict better or worse motor recovery after surgery.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults with a single-level lumbar disc herniation causing lower-limb motor deficit who are scheduled for a single-level microdiscectomy are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Patients without limb paresis, those with prior lumbar spine surgery, multilevel disease, cauda equina syndrome, peripheral neuropathy, or motor deficits from non-disc causes are unlikely to benefit from this prognostic analysis.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the results could help clinicians predict recovery of leg strength and better inform timing and expectations for microdiscectomy.
How similar studies have performed: Existing studies are limited but generally suggest that more severe and longer-lasting paresis predict worse recovery, so this study builds on modest prior evidence.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Patients suffering from lower limb paresis (motor deficit) caused by lumbar disk herniation undergoing a single-level microdiskectomy * Age (years) \> 17 Exclusion Criteria: * Age (years) \< 18 * Medical history of lumbar spine surgery * Absence of limb paresis * Motor deficit caused by other than disk herniation aetiologies * Reoperation within 6 months after microdiskectomy * Microdiskectomy at more than one level * Cauda equina syndrome * Peripheral neuropathy
Where this trial is running
Kavala and 2 other locations
- General Hospital of Kavala — Kavala, Greece (Recruiting)
- Hippokration General Hospital — Thessaloniki, Greece (Recruiting)
- European Interbalkan Medical Center — Thessaloniki, Greece (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Panagiotis Sarlis — Aristotle University Of Thessaloniki
- Study coordinator: Panagiotis Sarlis
- Email: psarlis@gapps.auth.gr
- Phone: +302513501449
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.