Article

The purpose of this study was to clarify the efficacy of
conservative or surgical treatment in athletes with lumbar disc herniation by
reviewing the literature. DESIGN: : A search of the literature was performed
through PubMed, seeking studies published from 1990 to 2009 with regard to the
outcomes of conservative or surgical treatment of lumbar disc herniation in
athletes. The percentage of athletes who returned to their original levels of
sports activities and the period until their return after the start of treatment
were assessed. RESULTS: : One prospective and six retrospective studies were
identified. One study was for conservative treatment, three for microdiscectomy,
and the remaining three for percutaneous discectomy. The respective percentages
of athletes who returned to original levels of sports activities (the period
until their return) were 78.9% (4.7 mos), 85.1% (5.2-5.8 mos), and 69.9% (7.0 wks
to 12 mos). The efficacy of conservative treatment and microdiscectomy, but not
percutaneous discectomy, was comparable. No studies were found available for
conventional open discectomy, percutaneous laser discectomy, or microendoscopic
discectomy. CONCLUSION: : It was revealed that the outcomes of conservative
treatment or microdiscectomy in athletes with lumbar disc herniation seemed to be
satisfactory in terms of their ability to return the injured athletes to their
original levels of sports activities.

Langue : ANGLAIS