Frank,
Would the fact that the Donelson (97) study looks at patients with
symptoms greater than three months ( mean of 15 months) be of any concern
in this specific case? Especially as the authors themselves highlight the
risk of psychosocial factors influencing the reporting of character,
intensity and location of their pain.
The Hofstee study (2002) on the other hand looks at patients with symptoms
for less than one month. Not really a fair comparison?
The Hofstee study also looks at subjects > 60 years old with sciatica
after GP referral and who had had no further diagnostic imaging? I wonder
whether (after possible neural irritation and symptom production), the
chance of degenerative changes, narrowing of the IVF and so on would have
a bearing on recovery?
Sam
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