A pilot study on the recovery from paresis after lumbar disc herniation.

Background: Although the existence of a motor defect in discogenic sciatica is a sign of severity, the literature does not provide evidence for an immediate requirement for surgery.

Objective: To assess the course of sciatica with discogenic paresis and to determine possible prognostic factors for recovery or improvement.

Study Design: This open prospective multicenter study included patients with discogenic sciatica with paresis that had been developing for less than 1 month and was rated < or =3 on a 5-grade scale.