Early surgery for sciatica.

Does new evidence challenge a stepped care approach for all patients?

Factors predicting the transition from acute to persistent pain in people with 'sciatica': the FORECAST longitudinal prognostic factor cohort study protocol.

Introduction: Sciatica is a common condition and is associated with higher levels of pain, disability, poorer quality of life, and increased use of health resources compared with low back pain alone. Although many patients recover, a third develop persistent sciatica symptoms. It remains unclear, why some patients develop persistent sciatica as none of the traditionally considered clinical parameters (eg, symptom severity, routine MRI) are consistent prognostic factors.

Ambulatory Pathway for the Management of Superficial Abscesses: Criteria for Safe Provision of Care.

Background Superficial abscesses are common surgical emergencies and unless complicated, are considered a low-priority emergency often leading to delayed primary treatment. Patients who are clinically stable benefit more from an ambulatory-care approach to their treatment. Aim of study This is a retrospective study to investigate the current practice of treatment of superficial abscesses at West Suffolk Hospital, United Kingdom, and evaluate the potential impact of implementing care via the ambulatory pathway to improve patients' experience, optimise the use of hospital resources and identify areas for service improvement.