When is the appropriate time for surgical intervention of the herniated lumbar disc in the adolescent?

• Published in: Journal of clinical neuroscience Vol. 16; no. 9; pp. 1153 - 1156
• Main Authors: Fakouri, Bahram, Nnadi, Colin, Boszczyk, Bronek, Kunsky, Alexander, Cacciola, Francesco
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Scotland Elsevier Ltd 01-09-2009
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adolescents; Back Pain - etiology; Back Pain - surgery; Child; Diskectomy; Early surgery; Female; Humans; Intervertebral Disc Displacement - etiology; Intervertebral Disc Displacement - surgery; Lifting - adverse effects; Lumbar disc herniation; Lumbar Vertebrae - surgery; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Minimally invasive surgery; Movement Disorders - etiology; Neurology; Retrospective Studies; Sciatica - etiology; Sciatica - surgery; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome; Minimally invasive surgery; Early surgery; Adolescents; Lumbar disc herniation
• ISSN: 0967-5868; 1532-2653
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2009.01.023

Abstract Symptomatic lumbar disc herniation in the adolescent is uncommon. The appropriate treatment in this particular age group is not clear. We conducted a retrospective review of the medical, surgical, and radiological records of six adolescents with symptomatic lumbar disc herniation who underwent microdiscectomy after failed conservative therapy. The mean follow-up was 13 months. All patients improved quickly and returned to their normal activity levels. We suggest that severe pain resulting from a herniated lumbar disc, even without any neurological deficit, is an indication for microdiscectomy in adolescents so that these patients return to full-time education and normal activities as soon as possible.