Clinical Research Directory

Inclusion Criteria: * Radicular pain (for ≥ 6 weeks prior to screening), with a clear indication for lumbar spinal surgery ((micro)discectomy, decompression and/or fusion), in accordance with the KCE guidelines (when evidence-based multimodal management has not improved pain or function and radiological findings are consistent with clinical symptoms) * Employed (working or on sick leave for less than 1 year due to spinal pathology) * Age 18 - 65 years * Surgery is scheduled within a timeframe of five days to 2 months after the decision for surgery (4 months for fusion) * For lumbar fusion surgery, the fusion should be restricted to one or two levels * Able to provide written informed consent, implying that the participant is both physically and cognitively capable of understanding the study information and signing the consent form independently. Exclusion Criteria: Patients are not eligible for the trial in case of any of the following criteria: * Lumbar surgery performed for malignant disease, spinal fracture, infectious spinal disease * Insufficient knowledge of Dutch or French language to receive education in the recruiting center and to complete the questionnaires (consistent with the language spoken in the recruiting centre) * Immediate surgery via emergency admission that precludes prehabilitation * Revision fusion surgery * Non-residency in Belgium