Results of Operative Treatment of Lumbar Disc Herniation: A Survey of 886 Patients

Abstract

Over a period of 6 years (1960–65), 886 patients were operated on for herniated lumbar disc. In 1971, 695 of these patients (78.5 per cent) answered a questionnaire, The material was analysed with the aid of a computer. Persons in the age groups 30–39 (38 per cent) and 40–49 (34 per cent) were most prone to develop sciatica. At operation the distribution of positive findings was found to be 5.7 per cent at level L3–4, 58.3 per cent at L4–5 and 36 per cent at L5-S1. Myelography with a water-soluble medium was performed preoperatively in all cases and gave a correct diagnosis of level in 90.2 per cent. The late results were good in 56 per cent of patients and 63 per cent returned to their former occupation.