This study was undertaken to find out factors predicting the results of the nonoperative treatment for lumbar intervertebral disc. Inclusion criteria were as follows:
1) The patient was comfirmed lumbar intervertebral disc in the computed tomography and/or magnetic resonance imaging by a radiologist's reading. 2) The patient had undergone an intensive physical rehabilitation program for at leatst four weeks. 3) The patient should have no other medical problems which delayed the period of treatment or aggravated the symptom. 4) The patients should have no previous lumber surgery. All patients were assessed by the low back pain protocol which was composed of symptom, clinical sign and activities of daily living scales before and after the treatment. Changes in LBP score were evaluated by age, sex, occupation, duration of the symptom, means of the payment, marital status, education period, radiologic findings, self assessment and MMPI. In conclusion, poor result could be predicted after the nonoperative treatment in the patient groups of: 1) duration of the symptom over 6 months, 2) hospital payment by others, and 3) high score in the Hypochondriasis and Hysteria scales in MMPI.
