Appropriately selected patients, as previously described, can generally expect approximately an 80-90% likelihood of improvement, if not relief, of radicular pain following lumbar decompression. Our surgical procedures have resulted in a success rate of 86% good and excellent outcomes in 215 multiple level procedures.

Although relief of leg pain is common, relief of back pain to the same degree is less predictable. Although the majority, approximately 70-80% of patients can expect improvement or substantial relief of back pain, some patients may experience continued back pain of a substantial degree. This most likely represents degenerative changes unassociated with pressure on a nerve root.