Our Summary

After having surgery for a herniated disc in the lower spine, many patients experience pain in the lower leg, buttock, and lower back. This study looked at whether a type of surgery called a discectomy could help reduce lower back pain within a year after surgery. The study included 106 patients who had this surgery between 2010 and 2016.

The study found that lower back pain did improve in the first three months after surgery, but this improvement did not continue up to a year after surgery. However, pain in the buttock and lower leg showed consistent improvement throughout the year following surgery. This could explain why patients reported improvements in buttock and lower leg pain, but not lower back pain, one year after surgery.

FAQs

  1. What is a discectomy and how can it help with pain caused by a herniated disc in the lower spine?
  2. Did the study find that discectomy improved lower back pain, buttock pain, and lower leg pain a year after surgery?
  3. What was the duration of the study and how many patients were involved?

Doctor’s Tip

A helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about discectomy is to focus on managing pain in the lower back through proper post-operative care, such as physical therapy, stretching, and strengthening exercises. It is important for patients to understand that the recovery process may take time and that continued improvement in lower back pain may occur over the long term. Additionally, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise and proper posture, can also help to prevent future pain and potential re-injury.

Suitable For

Patients who are typically recommended for a discectomy are those who have a herniated disc in the lower spine causing pain in the buttock and lower leg. These patients may have tried conservative treatments such as physical therapy, medication, or injections without success. Discectomy is often recommended for patients who have persistent symptoms that are not improving with other treatments, and who have evidence of nerve compression or severe pain that significantly affects their daily activities and quality of life.

Timeline

Before discectomy:

  1. Patient experiences symptoms of a herniated disc in the lower spine, such as lower back pain, leg pain, and weakness.
  2. Patient undergoes diagnostic tests, such as MRI or CT scans, to confirm the diagnosis of a herniated disc.
  3. Patient may undergo conservative treatments such as physical therapy, medications, and injections to manage symptoms.
  4. If conservative treatments are unsuccessful, patient and their healthcare provider may decide to proceed with a discectomy surgery.

After discectomy:

  1. Patient undergoes discectomy surgery to remove the herniated portion of the disc and relieve pressure on the nerves.
  2. In the immediate post-operative period, patient may experience pain and discomfort at the surgical site.
  3. In the first three months after surgery, lower back pain may improve, but may not continue to improve up to a year after surgery.
  4. Pain in the buttock and lower leg consistently improves throughout the year following surgery.
  5. Patient may undergo physical therapy and rehabilitation to help strengthen the back and improve mobility.
  6. Follow-up appointments with healthcare provider are scheduled to monitor recovery and address any concerns or complications.

What to Ask Your Doctor

Some questions a patient should ask their doctor about discectomy include:

  1. What is the success rate of a discectomy for reducing lower back pain in the long term?
  2. What are the potential risks and complications associated with discectomy surgery?
  3. How long is the recovery period after a discectomy surgery?
  4. Are there any alternative treatments or therapies that could be considered before opting for surgery?
  5. What type of physical therapy or rehabilitation will be recommended after the surgery?
  6. How soon after surgery can I expect to see improvement in my symptoms?
  7. Are there any lifestyle changes or modifications that I should make to help with my recovery and prevent future disc herniation?
  8. Will I need to follow up with a specialist or physical therapist after the surgery?
  9. What is the likelihood of the herniated disc reoccurring after surgery?
  10. Are there any restrictions or limitations on activities that I should be aware of following the surgery?

Reference

Authors: Ko S, Kwon J. Journal: Medicine (Baltimore). 2022 Jan 7;101(1):e27559. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000027559. PMID: 35029870