NCT07418944 FINDISC-Pain, Finnish Discectomy Trial on the Benefits and Harms of Surgery in Patients With Lumbar Disc Herniation
| NCT ID | NCT07418944 |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Phase | — |
| Sponsor | Helsinki University Central Hospital |
| Condition | Lumbar Disc Herniation With Radiculopathy |
| Study Type | INTERVENTIONAL |
| Enrollment | 122 participants |
| Start Date | 2026-02-19 |
| Primary Completion | 2030-12 |
Eligibility & Interventions
Eligibility Fast-Check
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What to Expect as a Participant
You will actively receive the study intervention — which may be a drug, biologic, device, or procedure.
This trial targets 122 participants in total. It began in 2026-02-19 with a primary completion date of 2030-12.
⚠ This information is for research awareness only. Always consult your physician before joining any clinical trial. Participation is voluntary and you may withdraw at any time.
Brief Summary
The FINDISC trial studies whether common back operation, microdiscectomy, is effective and safe for treating sciatica caused by a lumbar disc herniation. The study includes people whose leg pain has not improved after at least six weeks of non-surgical treatment. The FINDISC trial aims to recruit and randomly allocate 122 participants to receive either the actual operation (discectomy) or a placebo (sham) surgery. The placebo (sham) procedure involves anesthesia and an approach similar to the real operation, but no removal of disc material or bone. Participants and healthcare staff, excluding the surgical team, will not know which treatment was given. The study compares pain relief, recovery, daily functioning, quality of life, and harms between the two groups. The goal of the study is to provide reliable evidence to help patients and clinicians decide whether microdiscectomy offers meaningful benefits compared with placebo surgery.
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age 18-60 years * Diagnosed unilateral lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatica) secondary to lumbar disc herniation (LDH) * Single LDH at the level of L3/4, L4/5 or L5/S1 on magnetic resonance imaging * Symptom duration minimum 6 weeks * NRS worst leg pain 5 or higher * Patient has not responded to at least one form of non-operative care * Patient willing to undergo surgery * Patient willing and able to give consent and comply with study procedures * Sufficient proficiency in the language of the study site to provide informed consent and comply with study procedures Exclusion Criteria: * Doubtful nerve root compression * Spinal stenosis or any other confounding spinal condition * Far lateral disc herniation * Serious neurological deficit * Previous spinal surgery * Any contraindication to MRI * BMI \> 35 or lumbar subcutaneous fat \> 50 mm as determined from the MRI * ASA classification \> 2 * Being pregnant
Contact & Investigator
Teppo Järvinen, Professor
STUDY DIRECTOR
Helsinki University Central Hospital
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can join the NCT07418944 clinical trial?
This trial is open to participants of all sexes, aged 18 Years or older, up to 60 Years, studying Lumbar Disc Herniation With Radiculopathy. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria are listed in the Eligibility Criteria section. Always confirm your eligibility with the research team before applying.
Is NCT07418944 currently recruiting?
Yes, NCT07418944 is actively recruiting participants. Contact the research team at olli.rytsola@hus.fi for enrollment information.
Where is the NCT07418944 trial being conducted?
This trial is being conducted at Helsinki, Finland.
Who is sponsoring the NCT07418944 clinical trial?
NCT07418944 is sponsored by Helsinki University Central Hospital. The principal investigator is Teppo Järvinen, Professor at Helsinki University Central Hospital. The trial plans to enroll 122 participants.