ABSTRACT
Lumbar disc herniation frequently affects young patients and is responsible for high rate of worker's compensation claims. The aim of this study is to evaluate at short and long term the results of microdiscectomy in terms of pain control, quality of life and patient's satisfaction. In this prospective study, 28 patients were enrolled and operated on by micro- discectomy for lumbar disc herniation. Three questionnaires were administered preoperatively. They evaluated the pain, the quality of life and the expectation of the patients. Four questionnaires were administered at six months and two years postoperatively evaluating pain, quality of life, results and satisfactions. A 62.3% and 53.2% improvement of low back pain at 6 months and 2 years respectively, and a 91.7% and 88.4% improvement of radicular pain were reported. A 73,2% and 79.8% improvement in quality of life was recorded respectively. Patient's expectation was evaluated at 3.85 and results estimated 3.24. Patient's satisfaction was 93.3% and 88.3% respectively. It was positively correlated to radicular pain, and inversely correlated to patient's expectations. Microdiscectomy for lumbar disc herniation offers a marked improvement in back and radicular pain. Quality of life is much improved. Although satisfaction is high, it is somewhat decreased for patients with high expectations