Demographic parameters at baseline.
| Characteristic | FELD Group (n = 80) | Control Group (n = 400) | P Value | Difference Between Groups, Mean (95% CI) |
| Age, y, | n = 80 | n = 400 | ||
| Mean (SD) (95% CI for mean) | 32.4 (10.4) (30.1; 34.7) | 33.2 (10.0) (32.2; 34.2) | 0.53 | −0.763 (−3.209; 1.682) |
| Sex, n (%) | n = 80 | n = 400 | ||
| Men | 41 (51.3%) | 205 (51.3%) | 0.0 (−12.7; 12.7) | |
| Women | 39 (48.8%) | 195 (48.8%) | >0.99 | 0.0 (−12.7; 12.7) |
| Body mass index | n = 80 | n = 400 | ||
| Mean (SD) (95% CI for mean) | 25.0 (4.0) (24.1; 25.9) | 25.3 (3.3) (25.0; 25.6) | 0.46 | −0.309 (−1.173; 0.504) |
| Smoker, n (%) | n = 69 | n = 398 | ||
| No | 59 (85.5%) | 343 (86.2%) | −0.7 (−10.5; 9.1) | |
| Yes | 10 (14.5%) | 55 (13.8%) | >0.99 | 0.7 (−9.1; 10.5) |
| Leg pain (NRS 0–10) | n = 56 | n = 389 | ||
| Mean (SD) (95% CI for mean) | 7.34 (1.98) (6.81; 7.87) | 6.99 (2.18) (6.78; 7.21) | 0.27 | 0.347 (−0.231; 0.936) |
| Back pain (NRS 0–10) | n = 56 | n = 388 | ||
| Mean (SD) (95% CI for mean) | 5.11 (2.74) (4.37; 5.84) | 4.81 (2.83) (4.53; 5.09) | 0.45 | 0.295 (−0.510; 1.080) |
| Duration of leg pain, n (%) | n = 80 | n = 400 | ||
| <3 mo | 6 (7.5%) | 30 (7.5%) | ||
| 3–12 mo | 49 (61.3%) | 245 (61.3%) | ||
| 12–24 mo | 13 (16.3%) | 65 (16.3%) | ||
| >24 mo | 12 (15.0%) | 60 (15.0%) | >0.99 | |
| Oswestry Disability Index | n = 55 | n = 392 | ||
| Mean (SD) (95% CI for mean) | 46.5 (18.5) (41.5; 51.5) | 46.5 (17.8) (44.7; 48.3) | 0.97 | −0.007 (−4.939; 4.958) |
| Lumbar disc herniation level, n (%) | n = 80 | n = 400 | ||
| L4-L5 | 25 (31.3%) | 153 (38.3%) | −7.0 (−19.0; 5.0) | |
| L5-S1 | 55 (68.8%) | 247 (61.8%) | 0.29 | 7.0 (−5.0; 19.0) |
Abbreviations: FELD, full-endoscopic lumbar discectomy; NRS, numerical rating scale.