ABSTRACT
Objectives: The objectives of this study was to determine the
efficacy of disc excision for the relief of lumbar radicular pain.
Study Design: Descriptive study.
Place and Duration of Study:
Department of Orthopaedics and Spinal SurgeryGhurki Trust Teaching Hospital, Lahore, from
September 2008 to August 2009.
Patients and Methods:Fifty cases
fulfilling the inclusion criteria were selected. Efficacy of disc excision was determined
by improvement in Denis pain scale and improvement in straight leg raising (SLR) test.
These were noted on 1st and 2nd post operative days and on 1st follow up after 02 weeks.
Results: Post operative results
were good in 41 (82%) patients, fair in 7 (14%)
patients and poor in 02(4%) case.
Conclusion: Limited disc
excision either through hemilaminectomy or fenestration is a safe, effective and reliable
surgical technique for treating properly selected patients of sciatica due to prolapsed
intervertebral disc at L4-5 and L5-S1 level. Surgical discectomy provides immediate
relief from Radicular Pain than conservative management.
Key words: Sciatica, prolapsed
intervertebral disc, limited disc excision. |