Clinical Research Directory

Inclusion Criteria: * Age ≥18 years and \<67 years at the time of consent. * MRI-verified single-level lumbar disc herniation corresponding to clinical symptoms. * Radiculopathy with leg-dominant pain consistent with the affected nerve root. * Failure of conservative treatment (e.g., physiotherapy, analgesics, activity modification) for at least 6 weeks, with surgery considered appropriate. * Duration of symptoms less than 12 months. * Deemed a candidate for lumbar disc surgery by the treating surgeon. * Ability to provide written informed consent and comply with study procedures. Exclusion Criteria: * Previous lumbar spine surgery or other lumbar intervention. * Multi-level disc herniations with an unclear symptomatic level. * Progressive or severe neurological deficit requiring urgent surgery (e.g., cauda equina syndrome, significant motor deficit). * Serious spinal pathology other than disc herniation (e.g., infection, tumour, fracture, inflammatory disease, lumbar idiopathic scoliosis, degenerative deformity). * Relevant systemic comorbidities that increase procedural risk or confound outcomes, including: * Uncontrolled cardiovascular, pulmonary or metabolic disease. * Immunosuppressive therapy or systemic inflammatory disorders. * Psychiatric illness or cognitive impairment interfering with study participation. * Neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis or polyneuropathy. * Uncontrolled coagulopathy or ongoing anticoagulation that cannot be safely reversed. * Local skin infection or systemic infection. * Known allergy to study medications (local anaesthetic, corticosteroid or contrast agent). * Pregnancy or breastfeeding. * Inability to understand the Swedish language. * Lack of a Swedish personal identification number.