| Decision to perform surgery | ||
---|---|---|---|
 | Yes | No | Might consider |
Essential aspects | Radiological features (progression) | Absence of pain | Radiological features |
Presence of pain | Absence of disability | Absence/presence of pain | |
Presence of disability | Radiological features (stable course) | Absence/presence of disability | |
 | Expected progression of symptoms | Stable clinical course so far | Expected progression of symptoms |