approached significanceP = .08
13 In our study, direct group patients had significantly lower preoperative L5 motor scores (4.86 v 4.9) with higher VAS, though the difference in baseline VAS score only approached significance (6.59 v 5.56, P = .08) This greater symptomatology may have influenced surgeons to perform direct decompression for patients in their effort to provide the most optimal treatment.