[A 5 year follow-up study on non-surgical treatment of ruptured lumbar disc herniation]

To investigate the short-term and mid-term efficacy with non-surgical treatment and to predict the long-term outcomes of ruptured lumbar disc herniation.

From February 2011 to February 2014, 75 patients with single-segment ruptured lumbar disc herniation treated by non-surgical therapy were selected for prospective study. There were 53 males and 22 females, aged from 18 to 58 (35.62±9.96) years old. The course of disease was from 5 days to 6 months, with an average of (46.45±40.66) days. The lesions were located at L_3,4 in 4 cases, at L_4,5 in 29 cases, at L₅S₁ in 42 cases. Radiation pain in 46 cases on the left and 29 cases on the right. The JOA score, straight leg raising test angle and finger-to-ground distance were assessed pretreatment and at 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years and 5 years after treatment. The improvement rate of JOA at the final follow up (5 years after treatment) was calculated and the curative effect according to JOA score was evaluated;the volume change of protrusion before treatment and at the final follow-up (5 years after treatment) was analyzed, the volume absorption rate of protrusion was calculated and the absorption of protrusion was observed;the relationship between the improvement rate of JOA and the absorption rate of protrusion were analyzed.

Seventy one patients were finally followed up at 5 years after non surgical treatment. The JOA score, straight leg raising test angle and finger to ground distance at 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years and 5 years after treatment were significantly improved (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in JOA scores between 5 years and 6 months after treatment, 5 and 2 years after treatment, and 2 years and 6 months after treatment (P>0.05). There was significant differencein other time points (P<0.05). The results of the straight leg raising test angle and the finger-to-ground distance were similar to the JOA scores. The improvement rate of JOA score was (62.69± 2.47)% at the final follow-up. According to JOA score, the results were excellent in 26 cases, good in 26 cases, fair in 14 cases, poor in 5 cases, and the excellent and good rate was 73.24%. The volume of protrusion decreased from (1 981.73±588.72) mm³ to (1 011.82±395.47) mm3, the total absorption rate was (45.65±2.83)%, the protrusion was obviously absorbed in 24 cases, partially absorbed in 26 cases, not absorbed in 19 cases, and increased in 2 cases. It was found that there was a positive correlation between improvement rate of JOA scores and protrusion absorption rate at 5 years after non surgical treatment (r= 0.679, P<0.001).

Non-surgical treatment of ruptured lumbar disc herniation can achieve good results, clear the characteristics of the ruptured lumbar disc herniation and prognosis, and some patients have "reabsorption" phenomenon.