Conservative And Surgical Treatment Of Lumbar Disc Herniation

Abstract

Introduction: A herniated disc occurs when the disc that acts as a cushion between the vertebrae of the spine shifts and presses on nearby nerves. The L4-L5 region refers to the lumbar vertebrae located in the lower back. A herniated disc in this region can cause pain, tingling, muscle weakness and even the inability to perform daily tasks. Evidence comparing the effectiveness of surgical and conservative treatment for symptomatic lumbar disc herniation is controversial. Objectives: The aim of this study is to discuss, through a literature review, the pros and cons of conservative and surgical treatment for herniated discs, as well as their risks and benefits according to current medical advances. Results and Discussion: Compared to conservative therapy, surgical treatment provided faster relief of low back pain symptoms in patients with lumbar disc herniation, but showed no benefits over conservative treatment in medium and long-term follow-up. Final considerations: Surgical treatment may therefore be attractive for patients with debilitating pain symptoms who are looking for rapid relief or who have not achieved satisfactory improvement with conservative treatment.