Table 1 Baseline characteristics of the patients

Sample size

14

Age (years)

45 (15)

Gender (% male)

45

Leg pain duration (weeks)

14 (10 to 40)

Type of back pain

   Acute

5

   Chronic

10

Type of leg pain

   First episode

13

   Previous episodes

2

Positive nerve root irritation sign^a

14

Neurological deficit

   Muscle weakness

8

   Sensory perturbation in a dermatome

9

   Decrease deep tendon reflex

5

Disc level

   L3 to L4

2

   L4 to L5

7

   L5 to S1

6