Little research has been done to investigate depression and anxiety in patients undergoing surgery for a herniated disc. Evidently disc surgery patients are at higher risk of suffering from depression and anxiety than the general population. The review outlines the importance for clinicians to be more sensitive to psychological concerns in patients undergoing disc surgery. Psychological assessment and assistance from mental health professionals should be considered during the hospital stay and rehabilitation period, depending on local feasibility. Further investigations are necessary to examine whether the implementation of a multidisciplinary in-patient treatment program will improve postoperative outcome in patients undergoing intervertebral disc surgery.

Identifying a high risk group for RTW and ATW at an early age is of utmost importance for the purpose of improving rehabilitation effects and to make a return to the work place easier. Specific interventions, such as social-medical counselling, pain therapy and management, as well as the assistance of mental health professionals during hospital and rehabilitation treatment are recommended for this risk group.

Supplementing physical rehabilitation by psychosocial interventions may help improve patients' HRQOL.

No abstract

Disc surgery patients show a higher risk to suffer from mental disorders than the general population. The assessment of psychiatric distress and the assistance by mental health professionals should be considered during hospital and rehabilitation treatment.