Lumbar Discectomy Review

Lumbar disc herniations are relatively common and often a source of leg pain, paresthesias, or weakness. Fortunately, the natural history outcome of lumbar radiculopathy due to a disc herniation is favorable, and most patients (70%-80%) improve with nonoperative care. Surgical intervention is indicated in patients who continue to have severe pain despite conservative treatment, and outcomes have been shown to be quite favorable in terms of alleviating leg pain and returning to function. There appears to be no difference in outcomes when comparing minimally invasive surgery or tubular discectomy vs open discectomy, and surgeons should offer the procedure that they are most comfortable and technically competent at performing in an effort to minimize complications. Finally, there is an abundant amount of literature that supports that elite athletes can successfully return to sport after undergoing a lumbar microdiscectomy.