Adolescent lumbar disc prolapse

87 adolescents with lumbar disc prolapse treated from 1978 to 1985 were reviewed. The clinical pattern was different from that usually seen in adults, as 41 patients had no leg pain; and signs of neurologic deficit were often absent. Nonoperative treatment was successful in 57/61 patients, and 26 patients underwent discectomy with eventual return to full activity in 23 patients.