Study Design: observational study over time

Objectives: 1. To investigate the effect of right and left radiculopathy on driver brake-reaction time (DBRT) 2. Determine the effect of selective nerve root block (SNRB) on DBRT

Summary of Background Data: DVLA guidelines for fitness to drive after orthopaedic procedures remain vague. DBRT has been assessed using different driving simulators in several surgical and non-surgical conditions. To date the effect of sciatica and SNRB on DBRT has not been studied.

Methods: DBRT s of 20 patients with sciatica (10 right, 10 left) were measured using a custom-built car simulator. Each patient was tested pre-SNRB, immediate post-SNRB, 2 and 6 weeks post-SNRB. As controls 20 age-matched normal subjects were tested once. Full departmental, institutional and ethical committee approval were obtained.

Results: The mean reaction time of the control group was 459 ms. The mean reaction times of the patients at different points of assessment were as follow:

Conclusions:

This study confirms the intuitive impression that patients with sciatica have prolonged DBRT compared to normal population. This represents an extra absolute increase in traveling distance of 2.4 meters in a 70 mph speed zone.