This national cross-sectional survey investigates the current practices and perceptions of Belgian spinal surgeons regarding return to work (RTW) after lumbar surgery for radicular pain. The study aims to (1) assess surgeons' advice on RTW and sick leave, (2) identify barriers and facilitators encountered when providing RTW guidance, and (3) explore how these factors relate to surgeon characteristics such as demographics, hospital setting, and professional experience. The results will inform clinical practice recommendations and support the development of targeted interventions to improve RTW guidance.

Return to work (RTW) after lumbar surgery is shaped by a combination of medical, psychosocial, and system-level factors. Although clinical guidelines increasingly recognize RTW as an essential outcome, limited evidence exists on how surgeons address this issue in everyday practice and what challenges they encounter.

This national cross-sectional survey will be distributed to members of the Spine Society of Belgium (SSBe). It explores surgeons' demographics, current clinical practices regarding RTW advice and sick leave, communication strategies with patients, perceived professional roles and responsibilities, and barriers and facilitators in providing RTW guidance.

The findings will provide insights into current practices, highlight modifiable barriers, and support the development of evidence-based clinical recommendations and targeted interventions to optimize RTW guidance after lumbar surgery.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Orthopaedic surgeons or neurosurgeons who perform lumbar surgery in Belgium.
• Members or affiliates of the Spine Society of Belgium (SSBe), as survey distribution will occur through the SSBe member list.
• Willing to participate in the survey, as evidenced by voluntary completion of the online questionnaire. Informed consent is implied after reading the participant information sheet.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Surgeons not performing lumbar surgery.
• Surgeons not affiliated with SSBe.

Belgian spinal surgeons (orthopaedic surgeons and neurosurgeons) who perform lumbar surgery.

The study involves a small professional population (Belgian spinal surgeons), where sharing individual-level responses could risk indirect identification despite anonymization. Only aggregated, group-level results will be reported.