Table 2

MacNab Criteria

ResultCriteria
ExcellentPatient is asymptomatic; medication is not required.
GoodPatient recovers fully from sciatica symptoms but requires occasional medication for residual or recurrent pain.
FairPatient recovers partially and requires regular medication.
PoorPatient does not improve or recover or recovers only par-tially, requiring medication on a regular basis; patient not satisfied with the surgical results.