Diagnosis And Treatment Of Lumbar Disc Herniation In Teenagers

Study Design. The authors examined a case series of patients under the age of 18 years treated for lumbar intervertebral disc herniation.Objectives. To evaluate postoperative and long-term results of surgery and nonsurgery in patients younger than 18 years.Summary of Background Data. There are only a few series, with controversial results, available on the surgical treatment and nonsurgical of disc herniation in growing patients.Methods. Between 2002 and 2008, a consecutive series of 37 patients 13-18 years of age (average age, 16.2 years) underwent surgery or nonsurgery for lumbar intervertebral disc herniation.Results. Short-term results were excellent or good for both of two therapeutics, with complete pain relief in 24(75%) and moderate but incomplete relief in 26 (20%). A total of 98 (76%) long-term responses obtained at a mean follow-up of 2.4 years revealed excellent outcomes in 40% of the cases, good in 47%, and poor in 13%. The patients younger than 18 years results were weller the adultsConclusions. Trauma is the major cause of lumbar disc herniation in adolescents.Combined with the clinical presentation and imaging evidences,surgery should be indicated in those inefficient cases treated with conservative therapy for at least 3 months.