FINDISC-Pain, Finnish Discectomy Trial on the Benefits and Harms of Surgery in Patients With Lumb… (NCT07418944) | Clinical Trial Compass
RecruitingNot Applicable
FINDISC-Pain, Finnish Discectomy Trial on the Benefits and Harms of Surgery in Patients With Lumbar Disc Herniation
Finland122 participantsStarted 2026-02-19
Plain-language 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.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 60 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
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
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Worst leg pain intensity within past 24-hours (NRS 0-10, where 0 = no pain, 10 = worst possible pain)
Timeframe: Recruitment, 1 day pre intervention, and 1 day, and 1, 3 and 6 weeks, and 3, 6 and 12 months post intervention. Primary endpoint at 6 weeks.
2
Patient acceptable symptom state (PASS)
Timeframe: 1, 3 and 6 weeks, and 3, 6 and 12 months post intervention. Primary endpoint at 6 weeks.