1-When is lumbar disc herniation surgery indicated?
-In patients whose conservative treatments have not resulted in improvement of leg pain and disability after 4–6 weeks.
-When the patient experiences significant motor function loss or unbearable sciatica pain.
-In patients with cauda equina syndrome (sphincter dysfunction).
2-Results of lumbar disc herniation surgery
The outcomes of surgical discectomy have demonstrated success rates of 80–90%. Likewise, patient satisfaction over the ten years following surgery is 72%.
Approximately 5% of patients may experience recurrent disc herniation, and another 5% may develop chronic back pain.
3-What factors predict surgical outcomes?
– Short duration of preoperative leg pain.
– Absence of significant comorbidities.
– Short interval to surgery (<6 months).
– Patient expectations: high or positive expectations regarding lumbar disc surgery have been shown to correlate with better outcomes in terms of pain relief and recovery time.
4-How long does the surgery take?
It typically lasts between 1–2 hours and can even be performed under epidural anesthesia.
5-How long is the hospital stay?
In micro-surgery cases, the hospital stay is around 2–3 days.
6-Recovery after disc herniation surgery
Recovery varies by patient; however, it generally takes between 2 and 6 weeks.
During the first 2–3 weeks, patients should avoid sitting in very low seats and lifting or carrying heavy objects.
