Surgical vs. Non-Surgical Treatment for Lumbar Disc Herniation: A Systematic Review
Loading...
Authors
England, Jack
Date of Issue
2024
Type
Presentation
Language
en_US
Subject Keywords
Other Titles
Abstract
Objective. To review current literature on the effectiveness of non-surgical treatment compared to surgical treatment for lumbar disc herniations (LDH).
Methods. Literature identified through Pubmed, CINAHL, and Google Scholar was reviewed regarding the effectiveness of each type of treatment, nonsurgical (e.g. physical therapy) and surgical (e.g. microdiscectomy), and comparing the outcomes of each treatment.
Results. All studies found improvement in symptoms through both surgical and nonsurgical treatment for LDH, although the majority of literature found better improved outcomes in patients who underwent surgical treatment, vs. nonsurgical treatment. Participants in seven out of the eight studies were found to have better outcomes in low back or leg pain, physical function, and quality of life as a result of surgical treatment.
Conclusions. Surgical treatment for lumbar disc herniations is associated with a better improvement of quality of life, physical function, and low back or leg pain compared to non-surgical treatment. Alternative outcomes such as negative effects of each treatment, as well as long vs. short term effects of each treatment should be studied further.
Keywords: lumbar disc herniation; sciatica; lumbar radiculopathy; non-surgical; surgical; minimally invasive; conservative