Anupkumar Shetty, Peter Craig, Shashank Chitgopkar; Robert Jones
Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital, Oswestry SY10 7AG
The Spine Journal
March 2017 Volume 17, Issue 3, Supplement, Pages S12–S13
BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Most of the herniated discs resolve spontaneously, Although there are multiple papers on mild to moderate disc prolapses treated conservatively there are very few papers on massive lumbar disc prolapses treated conservatively.
PURPOSE: To know the outcome following Non operative management of massive lumbar disc prolapses.
STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: Observational study in patients with massive Lumbar Disc prolapses treated conservatively in our Institute over a period of 2011–2016.
PATIENT SAMPLE: Patients with massive lumbar disc prolapses treated conservatively over the period 2011–2016.
OUTCOME MEASURES: Patients were reviewed subsequently in outpatient clinics looking at symptoms.
METHODS: Clinical outcomes of 16 patients with massive lumbar disc herniation and radiculopathy reated conservatively over a period from 2011–2016 with average follow up period of 20 months.
RESULTS: Out of 16 patients, 11 were discharged following subsequent follow ups a s symptoms were resolved, 3 had trans foraminal epidural injection, 2 of them improved following the injection and discharged and 1 had persistent radiculopathy and is awaiting surgery. One patient underwent emergency discectomy following further recurrence of disc prolapse and had symptoms of impending cauda equine syndrome.
CONCLUSIONS: This is the second study from our institution looking at outcome following the conservative management of massive lumbar disc prolapses which reiterates that massive lumbar disc prolapses can be treated conservatively.