High-tech methods of surgical treatment of degenerative diseases of the lumbar spine

Abstract

In 1908, Krause described a case of removal of a damaged intervertebral disc. After making a median skin incision, detaching the paravertebral muscles from the spinous processes and arches, and removing half of the arch, he discovered a dural sac protruding posteriorly. After dissecting the dura mater, the surgeon removed a tumor-like formation of the intervertebral disc (which he called the echondroma). This case can be considered the first attempt to remove a prolapsed disc [60]. In 1929, Dandy discovered that the cartilaginous tissues of the intervertebral disc, migrating into the spinal canal, can compress the nerves and cause pain in the leg. The removal of these "cartilaginous nodules" helped to eliminate the pain syndrome.