Surgical Management of Lumbar Disc Herniation

Click here to view Slideshow

Objectives

==Review Current Scientific Evidence 

Absolute and Relative Indications for Surgery

Timing of Surgery

List of Available Surgical Interventions

Comparative Effectiveness of the Various Surgical Interventions

Complications of Surgery

Intradiscal interventions for discogenic pain

Results of Surgery

Timing of Surgery

=Cauda Equina Syndrome

ASAP

=Relative Indications

Lack of scientific evidence on optimal timing

Rarely <6 weeks

Period in which improvement in symptoms generally known to occur

Should not be delayed beyond 3-4 months

Chances of improvement in radicular pain are slight and decrease further after 6 months