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Comprehensive Analysis of Treatment Approaches for Lumbar Disc Herniation: A Systematic Review
Plamen Penchev1, Ilko G Ilyov1, Todor Todorov2
1Medicine, Medical University of Plovdiv, Plovdiv, BGR.
Cureus
|September 27, 2024
Summary
Lumbar disc herniation treatments vary in effectiveness. While conservative care offers initial relief for many, surgery may be necessary for persistent neurological deficits or treatment resistance.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Neurosurgery
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Lumbar disc herniation significantly impairs quality of life and daily function.
- It involves the displacement of nucleus pulposus beyond the intervertebral space.
- Effective treatment strategies are crucial for patient recovery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and compare the efficacy of various lumbar disc herniation treatments.
- To evaluate conservative, pharmaceutical, and surgical intervention outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review adhering to PRISMA guidelines.
- Searched PubMed, Google Scholar, Embase, and Cochrane databases.
- Included English-language studies published between 2019 and 2024.
Main Results:
- Conservative treatments often provide immediate symptom relief.
- Surgical interventions are indicated for neurological deficits or treatment failures.
- A limited number of studies (15) were included in the final analysis.
Conclusions:
- Conservative management is effective for initial symptom control in lumbar disc herniation.
- Surgery remains essential for specific patient groups unresponsive to conservative care or with neurological compromise.
- Further research with broader inclusion criteria may enhance generalizability.
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