Consensus summary of the diagnosis and treatment of lumbar disc herniation

Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 1996 Dec 15;21(24 Suppl):75S-78S. doi: 10.1097/00007632-199612151-00009.

Abstract

Clinicians must not simply decide that a patient with symptoms and a positive diagnostic test has a reason for a specific treatment, and likewise clinicians must not decide that a patient with symptoms and a negative test does not have a clinically important problem. We must also consider the sensitivity, specificity and predictive value of the diagnostic test and the individual characteristics of the patient. Treatment outcome depends on many factors. Point of service decisions vs population based decisions are obviously different. Each patient presents to the treating practitioner on a given day, at a given time, and it is this picture upon which a plan of care is formulated.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Intervertebral Disc Displacement / diagnosis*
  • Intervertebral Disc Displacement / therapy*
  • Lumbar Vertebrae / diagnostic imaging
  • Lumbar Vertebrae / pathology*
  • Patient Care Planning
  • Radiography
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Treatment Outcome