Background/Objectives: Lumbar disk herniation (LDH) significantly affects quality of life due to lower back and radiating leg pain. Surgical intervention, such as discectomy, is effective for symptom relief when conservative measures fail; however, psychological factors like anxiety, depression, and maladaptive coping strategies may negatively impact surgical outcomes. This study aims to assess the role of preoperative psychological evaluations in predicting postoperative recovery and to identify key psychological and functional predictors of surgical success. Methods: A prospective study was conducted on 888 patients undergoing microdiscectomy for LDH at Mater Olbia Hospital between December 2020 and December 2023. Preoperative evaluations included the Visual Analog Scale, Symptom Checklist 90-R, Oswestry Disability Index, and Short Form 36. Logistic regression models and ROC curve analysis were used to identify significant predictors of outcomes and evaluate model accuracy. Results: Preoperative pain levels and emotional well-being emerged as the strongest determinants of postoperative improvement in the Oswestry Disability Index. The predictive model demonstrated high specificity (90.2%) in identifying patients likely to benefit from surgery. Clinically significant improvements were achieved by 69% of patients, highlighting the importance of psychological and functional assessments. Conclusions: Preoperative psychological assessment is critical in predicting outcomes of lumbar disk herniation surgery. Addressing psychological factors preoperatively enhances recovery, supports personalized treatment planning, and improves patient education. These findings advocate for an integrated care model that considers both physical and psychological health, optimizing surgical outcomes and patient satisfaction.

Clinical Psychology Service Mater Olbia Hospital 07026 Olbia Italy

Department of Neurosurgery IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute 00144 Rome Italy

Department of Neurosurgery Mater Olbia Hospital 07026 Olbia Italy

Institute of Neurosurgery Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A Gemelli IRCCS Catholic University 00168 Rome Italy

Multidisciplinary Department Charles University Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen 323 00 Plzeň Czech Republic

Multidisciplinary Department of Medical Surgical and Dental Specialties University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli 81100 Caserta Italy

Neurosurgical Training Center and Brain Research Mater Olbia Hospital 07026 Olbia Italy

Unit of Medical Physics Mater Olbia Hospital 07026 Olbia Italy

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