Our Summary

This study looked at the outcomes of a type of back surgery called “lumbar microdiscectomy” in teenagers and young adults who had a specific back problem called “lumbar disc herniation”. This condition is less common in teenagers and is usually caused by injury or birth defects.

The researchers used data from the Norwegian Registry for Spine Surgery and compared the results of patients aged 13-19 to those aged 20-50, who had the surgery between January 2007 and May 2014. They measured outcomes such as change in disability, quality of life, back and leg pain, and surgical complications.

In total, they analyzed data from 3,245 patients. They found that there was significant improvement for all patients after the surgery, but there was no difference in the level of improvement between the two age groups. There were also no differences in quality of life, back and leg pain, or complications between the two groups.

The researchers concluded that this type of back surgery is equally effective and safe for both teenagers and young adults.

FAQs

  1. What is a lumbar microdiscectomy and why is it performed?
  2. Was there any difference in the level of improvement between teenagers and young adults who underwent lumbar microdiscectomy?
  3. How did the researchers determine the effectiveness and safety of lumbar microdiscectomy in teenagers and young adults?

Doctor’s Tip

A helpful tip a doctor might give a patient about microdiscectomy is to follow post-operative instructions carefully, including avoiding heavy lifting and strenuous activities for a certain period of time to allow for proper healing. It is also important to attend follow-up appointments with your healthcare provider to monitor your progress and address any concerns or complications that may arise. Additionally, engaging in physical therapy or rehabilitation exercises as recommended by your healthcare provider can help improve your recovery and long-term outcomes.

Suitable For

Typically, patients who are recommended for microdiscectomy are those who have a lumbar disc herniation causing severe back and leg pain that has not improved with conservative treatments such as physical therapy, medications, and injections. These patients may also have weakness, numbness, or tingling in the legs, as well as difficulty walking or standing for long periods of time.

Microdiscectomy is often recommended for patients who have tried conservative treatments for several weeks to months without relief and who have evidence of nerve compression on imaging studies such as MRI. Patients who are generally healthy and do not have significant medical conditions that would increase the risk of surgery are also good candidates for microdiscectomy.

It is important for patients to discuss their symptoms, treatment options, and risks and benefits of surgery with their healthcare provider to determine if microdiscectomy is the right choice for them.

Timeline

Before the microdiscectomy:

  • Patient experiences symptoms such as back pain, leg pain, numbness, and weakness
  • Patient undergoes imaging tests such as MRI or CT scan to diagnose the disc herniation
  • Patient may try conservative treatments such as physical therapy, medication, or injections to manage symptoms
  • If conservative treatments fail to provide relief, patient and surgeon decide to proceed with microdiscectomy surgery

After the microdiscectomy:

  • Patient undergoes the minimally invasive microdiscectomy surgery to remove the herniated portion of the disc
  • Patient stays in the hospital for a short period of time for recovery
  • Patient experiences initial post-operative pain and discomfort, which gradually improves over time
  • Patient undergoes physical therapy to strengthen the back muscles and improve flexibility
  • Patient gradually resumes normal activities and experiences improvement in symptoms such as reduced pain, numbness, and weakness
  • Patient follows up with the surgeon for post-operative evaluations and monitoring of progress

Overall, the patient experiences relief from symptoms and improvement in quality of life after undergoing microdiscectomy surgery.

What to Ask Your Doctor

  1. What is a microdiscectomy and how does it work to treat lumbar disc herniation?
  2. What are the potential risks and complications associated with microdiscectomy surgery?
  3. What is the success rate of microdiscectomy surgery in treating lumbar disc herniation?
  4. What is the recovery process like after microdiscectomy surgery?
  5. Are there any alternative treatment options to consider before deciding on microdiscectomy surgery?
  6. How long will it take to see improvements in symptoms after the surgery?
  7. Will physical therapy or rehabilitation be necessary after the surgery?
  8. Are there any long-term effects or risks associated with microdiscectomy surgery?
  9. How often do patients require additional surgeries or treatments after undergoing microdiscectomy?
  10. What can I do to help ensure a successful outcome from microdiscectomy surgery?

Reference

Authors: Gulati S, Madsbu MA, Solberg TK, Sørlie A, Giannadakis C, Skram MK, Nygaard ØP, Jakola AS. Journal: Acta Neurochir (Wien). 2017 Mar;159(3):509-516. doi: 10.1007/s00701-017-3077-4. Epub 2017 Jan 16. PMID: 28091818