Development of machine learning models for predicting patient-perceived benefit following lumbar disc herniation or spinal stenosis surgery.

Summary: Back surgery helps many people, but it doesn't work for everyone. Doctors need better ways to know who will actually feel better after their operation. In this study, scientists used computers and artificial intelligence (AI) to look at records from over 31,000 patients in Norway. They trained the AI to predict if a patient would feel their surgery was a success one year later. The computer programs looked at things like how long the patient had pain, past surgeries, and their mental health. For patients with a slipped disc, the AI did a pretty good job of predicting success. This new tool could soon help doctors and patients make better, more informed choices about having back surgery.