title: When is the appropriate time for surgical intervention of the herniated lumbar disc in the adolescent?
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.
authors: Centre for Spinal Studies and Surgery, Queen's Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Derby Road, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK. fakouri@arcor.de
authors: Bahram
authors: B
authors: Fakouri
authors: Colin
authors: C
authors: Nnadi
authors: Bronek
authors: B
authors: Boszczyk
authors: Alexander
authors: A
authors: Kunsky
authors: Francesco
authors: F
authors: Cacciola
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001416:Back Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D002648:Child; D017586:Diskectomy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D017770:Lifting / Q000009:adverse effects; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009069:Movement Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012585:Sciatica / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome