An outcome measure of functionality and pain in patients with lumbar disc herniation: a validation study of the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score

Background Lumbar disc hernia (LDH) is a common cause of low back pain and radicular leg pain. The Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score is a very short instrument for measuring functionality and pain in these patients. This study aimed to translate and validate the JOA score for use in Iran.