Surgical outcomes of unilateral painful foot drop secondary to lumbar disc herniation: a multicenter retrospective study

Prompt surgical intervention for patients with foot drop improved outcomes, especially in those who were younger and less frail. While the study did not identify a specific cutoff for the timing of surgery, the findings emphasize the importance of early surgical consideration as delays were associated with reduced likelihood of recovery. Future research should focus on prospective studies to validate these findings and refine guidelines for surgical intervention in this patient population.