Interpret the results in Problem 10.54 in words?

Orthopedics

A study was performed among subjects with persistent sciatica (El Barzouhi et al. [17]). Sciatica is pain that radiates down the leg and is often caused by a herniated disk in the lumbar region of the lower back. A randomized trial was conducted comparing an early surgery strategy vs.  conservative care for an additional 6 months followed by surgery for patients who did not improve. Of the 267 patients eligible for the study, 131 were randomly assigned to undergo early surgery and 136 to prolonged conservative care. Of the 131 patients in the surgery group, 15 recovered before surgery could be performed. Of the 136 patients in the conservative care group, 54 actually underwent surgery in the first year. Thus, a total of (131 − 15) + 54 = 170 patients actually received surgery and 15 + (136 − 54) = 97 patients received no surgery. The primary results were presented based on treatment actually received.

An MRI was performed at 1 year of follow-up to determine whether disk herniation was present and, if so, the extent of herniation compared to baseline. Definite disk herniation was present for 15 patients who received surgery and for 25 patients who received no surgery.