Paulsen RT, et al. - In a single-center randomized controlled trial of patients (n = 146) scheduled for primary discectomy because of lumbar disc herniation, researchers examined the impact of postoperative rehabilitation on return to work, the term of sick leave and working ability following surgery for lumbar disc herniation. Both groups had a comparable postoperative sick leave period of nearly 9 weeks. Subsequent to one year, 79% in the HOME-group vs 74% in the REHAB-group had returned to work, which was not statistically meaningful. Working ability enhanced from baseline to one year in both groups and this betterment was maintained at a two-year follow-up. Stepwise linear regression exhibited that preoperative duration of leg pain and working ability had a correlation with duration of postoperative sick leave. Therefore, the duration of postoperative sick leave, return to work or working ability in patients recovering following surgery for lumbar disc herniation was not influenced by referral for unstandardized municipal rehabilitation. The duration of preoperative leg pain and preoperative working ability was significantly correlated with the span of postoperative sick leave.