[Radicular paralysis with reference to lumbar root compression syndromes. Incidence, extent and follow-up in a neurosurgical patient sample].

This is a retrospective study of 170 patients which were operated on for lumbar intervertebral disc herniation. The mean follow-up was 8 weeks. All patients showed muscular weakness before operation. Incidence, severity, and natural history of motor deficit following lumbar discectomy are reported. Moreover it was of special interest to analyze the effect of sex, age, severity and duration of muscular weakness, and timing of surgery on changes in radicular function.