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Is a Unilateral Surgical Approach Effective in Patients with Bilateral Leg Pain with Unilateral Lumbar Disc Herniation? A Prospective Nonrandomized Clinical and Surgical Study
Abstract
Objective:
To examine the surgical results of unilateral lumbar discectomy in patients with bilateral leg pain and discuss short- and long-term outcomes within the limits of lumbar decompression.
Methods:
We analyzed 60 patients with unilateral disk herniation who underwent unilateral lumbar discectomy and hemipartial laminectomy between 2014 and 2017. Group 1 (30 patients) had bilateral leg pain and unilateral lumbar disk herniation. Pain lateralization was determined radiologically. Group 2 (30 patients) had unilateral leg pain and unilateral lumbar disk herniation. Pain scores were preoperatively evaluated with Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for both legs and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) for overall life quality. In both groups, surgery was performed on the ipsilateral side of the herniated disc. Scores were repeated on postoperative day 1 and 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months later. VAS score differences for pain lateralization and disk levels were compared in group 1. ODI score differences were compared between both groups. Results were statistically analyzed.
Results:
VAS score differences were statistically significant at all follow-up time points in patients with ipsilateral and contralateral pain. VAS score differences between L4-L5 and L5-S1 level discopathies were statistically insignificant for all time points in both groups. All postoperative ODI score decreases for all time points were statistically significant (P < 0.001) for both groups, whereas the differences between groups 1 and 2 were statistically insignificant.
Conclusions:
Conventional lumbar disk surgery alone is sufficient for the ipsilateral side of radiologically demonstrated disk herniation in patients with bilateral leg pain.
... Interestingly, some patients can present with radicular symptoms on the opposite side of the disc herniation. This is not unusual in broad base disc herniations in which unilateral radiculopathy can occur even in the presence of severe contralateral canal compromise [21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34]. In this particular scenario of unilateral radiculopathy and contralateral radiographic disc herniation, many surgical interventions have been proposed in the literature including: unilateral approach and discectomy on the side of the patient's pain, laminectomy with bilateral approach, or even discectomy on the side of disc herniation contralateral to patient's pain [21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35]. ...
... This is not unusual in broad base disc herniations in which unilateral radiculopathy can occur even in the presence of severe contralateral canal compromise [21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34]. In this particular scenario of unilateral radiculopathy and contralateral radiographic disc herniation, many surgical interventions have been proposed in the literature including: unilateral approach and discectomy on the side of the patient's pain, laminectomy with bilateral approach, or even discectomy on the side of disc herniation contralateral to patient's pain [21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35]. The objective of this article is to review the current literature on lumbar disc herniations with contralateral radiculopathy and answer main questions regarding pathophysiological basis and best surgical approach. ...
... Only one paper was comparative [33]. All others were observational studies or case series. ...
Lumbar disc herniation (LDH) is a relatively common pathology usually presenting with unilateral radiculopathy ipsilateral to the disc herniation. Some patients can present with contralateral radicular symptoms. The objective of this article is to review the current literature on lumbar disc herniations with contralateral radiculopathy regarding its pathophysiology and surgical strategies. A systematic review of the literature on LDH with contralateral radiculopathy was performed using MEDLINE (via PubMed) using MeSH terms. This review was done following recommendations of PRISMA statement and PICOT strategy of search. Initial electronic search identified 126 papers. Finally, 18 articles were reviewed. None of the included papers was described as comparative. Pathophysiological processes underlying contralateral pain may include prominent spondylotic changes and the accompanying stenosis; hypertrophic yellow ligament; dural attachments along the posterior longitudinal ligament; nerve root traction forces; and friction radiculitis, migrated epidural fat, nerve root anomaly, and venous congestion inside the vertebral canal. In our pooled analysis, 11 patients reported were treated by bilateral approach with 100% of clinical success and no complications. Eight patients were treated by unilateral approach ipsilateral to pain with 100% of clinical success and no complications. Forty-eight patients were treated by unilateral approach ipsilateral to herniation with 100% of clinical success and no complications. Pathophysiology underlying contralateral pain in LDH is probably multifactorial. There is not enough scientific evidence to define the best surgical approach for patients with LDH and contralateral pain.
Central nervous system (CNS) injuries annually afflict approximately 2.7 million people in United States only, inflicting costs of nearly 100 billion US dollars. The gravity of this problem is a consequence of severe and prolonged disability of patients due to a scarce regeneration of CNS, along with the lack of efficient neuroprotective and neuroregenrative therapies. Therefore, the first and most important task in managing the CNS injury is reduction of the damaged area, and apoptosis of neurons occurs not only during the trauma, but in great extent within the following minutes and hours. This process, called secondary injury phase, is a result of trauma-induced metabolic changes in nervous tissue and neuron apoptosis. Cenobamate is a new antiepileptic drug approved by FDA on November 21, 2019. Regardless of its primary purpose, cenobamate, as a blocker of voltage-gated sodium channels and positive modulator of GABAa receptors, it appears to be a promising neuroprotective agent. Moreover, through activation of PI3K/Akt-CREB-BDNF pathway, it leads to the increase of anti-apoptotic factor levels and the decrease of pro-apoptotic factor levels, which induce inhibition of apoptosis and increase neuron survival. Similarly to riluzole, cenobamate could be an important part of a perioperative procedure in neurosurgery, decreasing the occurrence of neurological deficits. Provided that cenobamate will be effective in aforementioned conditions, it could improve treatment outcomes of millions of patients every year, thereby an extensive investigation of its efficacy as a neuroprotective treatment after central nervous system trauma should follow.
Aim:
To compare clinical outcomes of the patients operated from the contralateral or ipsilateral side for unilateral radiculopathy in spinal stenosis.
Material and methods:
This was a retrospective study. Twenty patients were listed as Group 1 (Contralateral) with unilateral radiculopathy and spinal stenosis with/without lateral recess syndrome or foraminal stenosis. Decompression from opposite side of radiculopathy was performed to Group 1 patients. Decompression from the radiculopathy side was performed to the patients in Group 2 (Ipsilateral). Twenty eight patients were listed as Group 2. Back pain visual analogue scale (VAS) score and leg pain VAS score were assessed at preoperative, postoperative 1st month and postoperative 12th month. The results were compared statistically.
Results:
Two patients were excluded because of reoperation at the 2nd month from the Group 2 to assessment 12th month VAS score. There was no significant difference between two groups at 1st month back pain VAS and leg pain VAS scores. There was no significant difference between two groups at 12th month back pain VAS and leg pain VAS scores. Dynamic stabilization was performed at 2nd month to two patients after the first operations for instability. So, there was no difference in clinical outcomes between the patients treated by contralateral approach and ipsilateral approach when instability did not occur. However, there is a risk of instability of the same side approach and surgery owing to shaving of the facet joint.
Conclusion:
In the contralateral approach, the recess of the contralateral side and foramen can be better seen than in the ipsilateral approach. So, this is a facet-sparing approach to spinal stenosis with/without lateral recess syndrome or foraminal stenosis with unilateral radiculopathy. The contralateral approach to unilateral radicular complaints is quite effective. With this approach, facet joints are protected from possible instability.
Objective
This study aimed to unravel the putative mechanism underlying the neurologic deficits contralateral to the side with lumbar disc herniation (LDH) and to elucidate the treatment for this condition.
Methods
From January 2009 to June 2015, 8 patients with LDH with predominantly contralateral neurologic deficits underwent surgical treatment on the side with LDH with or without decompressing the symptomatic side. A retrospective review of charts and radiological records of these 8 patients was performed. The putative mechanisms underlying the associated contralateral neurological deficits, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), electromyography (EMG), and the adequate surgical approach are discussed here.
Results
MRI revealed a similar laterally skewed paramedian disc herniation, with the apex deviated from the symptomatic side rather than directly compressing the nerve root; this condition may generate a contralateral traction force. EMG revealed radiculopathies in both sides of 6 patients and in the herniated side of 2 patients. Based on EMG findings and the existence of suspicious lateral recess stenosis of the symptomatic side, 6 patients underwent bilateral decompression of nerve roots and 2 were subjected to a microscopic discectomy to treat the asymptomatic disc herniation. No specific conditions such as venous congestion, nerve root anomaly or epidural lipomatosis were observed, which may be considered the putative pathomechanism causing the contralateral neurological deficits. The symptoms resolved significantly after surgery.
Conclusion
The traction force generated on the contralateral side and lateral recess stenosis, rather than direct compression, may cause the contralateral neurologic deficits observed in LDH.
Lumbar disc herniation (LDH) associated with a contralateral neurological deficit is sometimes encountered by surgeons. Compression against the opposite pedicle in case of a large discal herniation and prominent stenotic changes of contralateral side are held responsible for contralateral symptoms and findings. In this study, we report a case of LDH associated with a painless contralateral neurological deficit. Prominent venous engorgement and congestion at the contralateral side of discal herniation were detected during the operation. It's treatment with bipolar coagulation and significant improvement was seen after the operation.
Herniated lumbar disc is a displacement of disc material (nucleus pulposus or annulus fibrosis) beyond the intervertebral disc space. The highest prevalence is among people aged 30-50 years, with a male to female ratio of 2:1. There is little evidence to suggest that drug treatments are effective in treating herniated disc. METHODS AND OUTCOMES: We conducted a systematic review and aimed to answer the following clinical questions: What are the effects of drug treatments, non-drug treatments, and surgery for herniated lumbar disc? We searched: Medline, Embase, The Cochrane Library, and other important databases up to July 2008 (Clinical Evidence reviews are updated periodically; please check our website for the most up-to-date version of this review). We included harms alerts from relevant organisations such as the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
We found 49 systematic reviews, RCTs, or observational studies that met our inclusion criteria. We performed a GRADE evaluation of the quality of evidence for interventions.
In this systematic review, we present information relating to the effectiveness and safety of the following interventions: acupuncture, advice to stay active, analgesics, antidepressants, bed rest, corticosteroids (epidural injections), cytokine inhibitors (infliximab), discectomy (automated percutaneous, laser, microdisectomy, standard), exercise therapy, heat, ice, massage, muscle relaxants, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), percutaneous disc decompression, spinal manipulation, and traction.
Spontaneous regression of lumbar disk herniation in patients who did not undergo surgery nor interventional therapy is reported in up to 70% of cases; however, no perspective study has clarified the possible predictive signs of a positive evolution. Aim of our study was to search for plan and contrast enhancement MRI signs able to define disk-herniation resolution. We enrolled 64 patients, affected by 72 lumbar disk herniations as per the classification proposed by the American Society of Neuroradiology (Nomenclature and Classification of Lumbar Disk Pathology 2001). MRI examinations were performed by 1.5-T magnet, using T1w SE sequences on sagittal and axial planes, before and after contrast, and T2w FSE ones on the same planes. The following parameters were considered: age, sex, level and size of disk herniation, its relationship to the spinal canal, clinical onset interval, type of disk herniation, herniated-material signal intensity on T2w sequences and its pattern of contrast enhancement. All the patients, conservatively treated, underwent clinical and MRI follow-up examination after 6 months. At MRI follow-up exams spontaneous regression of disk herniation was observed in 34.72% of cases. Among these, free fragments regressed in 100% of cases, herniations with high signal intensity on T2w sequences in 85.18%, herniations with peripheral contrast-enhancement in 83% of cases. Disk-herniation evolution did not show any relationship with location, size and level. Our study demonstrates that MRI, in addition to its high diagnostic value, offers predictive information about disk-herniation evolution.
The aim of the study is to determine if leg pain can be caused by contralateral lumbar disk herniation and if intervention from only the herniation side would suffice in these patients. Five patients who had lumbar disk herniations with predominantly contralateral symptoms were operated from the side of disk herniation without exploring or decompressing the symptomatic side. Patients were evaluated pre- and postoperatively. To our knowledge, this is the first reported series of such patients who were operated only from the herniation side. The possible mechanisms of how contralateral symptoms predominate in these patients are also discussed. In all patients, the shape of disk herniations on imaging studies were quite similar: a broad-based posterior central-paracentral herniated disk with the apex deviated away from the side of the symptoms. The symptoms and signs resolved in the immediate postoperative period. Our data clears that sciatica can be caused by contralateral lumbar disk herniation. When operation is considered, intervention only from the herniation side is sufficient. It is probable that traction rather than direct compression is responsible from the emergence of contralateral symptoms.
A modified Delphi study conducted with 28 experts in back pain research from 12 countries.
To identify standardized definitions of low back pain that could be consistently used by investigators in prevalence studies to provide comparable data.
Differences in the definition of back pain prevalence in population studies lead to heterogeneity in study findings, and limitations or impossibilities in comparing or summarizing prevalence figures from different studies.
Back pain definitions were identified from 51 articles reporting population-based prevalence studies, and dissected into 77 items documenting 7 elements. These items were submitted to a panel of experts for rating and reduction, in 3 rounds (participation: 76%). Preliminary results were presented and discussed during the Amsterdam Forum VIII for Primary Care Research on Low Back Pain, compared with scientific evidence and confirmed and fine-tuned by the panel in a fourth round and the preparation of the current article.
Two definitions were agreed on a minimal definition (with 1 question covering site of low back pain, symptoms observed, and time frame of the measure, and a second question on severity of low back pain) and an optimal definition that is made from the minimal definition and add-ons (covering frequency and duration of symptoms, an additional measure of severity, sciatica, and exclusions) that can be adapted to different needs.
These definitions provide standards that may improve future comparisons of low back pain prevalence figures by person, place and time characteristics, and offer opportunities for statistical summaries.
Background
Transforaminal endoscopic lumbar discectomy (TELD), a minimally invasive spinal technique, has advantages over open discectomy. Unilateral TELD for disc herniation causing bilateral symptoms is challenging. In this study, we describe a percutaneous endoscopic herniotomy technique by using a unilateral approach for lumbar disc herniation with bilateral obvious symptoms.
Methods
From June 2014 to October 2015, 26 patients who had back as well as bilateral leg pain and/or weakness due to lumbar disc herniation were treated by transforaminal endoscopic lumbar discectomy (TELD) with a unilateral approach. Clinical outcomes were evaluated via a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS; 0 – 10), and functional status was assessed by using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI; 0 – 100%) at postopretive, 3 and 12 months postoperatively. Surgical satisfaction rate was assessed during the final follow up.
Results
The mean VAS for leg pain on the operative side improved from preoperative 8.39 ± 1.84 to 2.18 ± 1.26 postoperatively, 1.96 ± 0.83 at 3 months postoperatively, and 2.05 ± 1.42 at 1 year postoperatively (P < 0.01). The mean VAS for leg pain on the contralateral was 7.12 ± 1.74 and improved to 1.57 ± 1.66 postoperatively, 1.22 ± 1.58 at 3 months postoperatively, and 1.15 ± 1.35 at 1 year postoperatively (P < 0.01). The mean preoperative ODI was 83.63 ± 8.49, with 23.58 ± 7.24 at 1 week postoperatively, 19.81 ± 11.26 at 3 months postoperatively, and 17.54 ± 13.40 at 12 months postoperatively (P < 0.01). Good or excellent global results were obtained in 96.2% of patients.
Conclusion
TELD can be effective for lumbar disc herniation causing bilateral symptoms, through one working channel.
Lumbar disc herniation (LDH) is the most common cause of radiculopathy, whose pathological entity underlying nerve root compression is usually on the same side as the symptoms. However, LDH causing contralateral radiculopathy are sometimes encountered by pain physicians. There have been tremendous developmens in the treatment options for LDH; the situation of LDH causing contralateral radiculopathy is indeed a dilemma for some pain physicians. We will report a case of a patient with a L4-5 disc herniation whose left herniated disc caused radiculopathy on the right side. After a percutaneous lumbar endoscopic discectomy via the side ipsilateral to the symptomatic side, this case obtained a significant symptom remission. The migrated epidural fat is discussed as a cause of associated contralateral neurological deficit. Only via a surgical approach ipsilateral to the herniated side, could there be a clinical improvement postoperatively.
Spinal stenosis and disc herniation are the two most frequent causes of lumbosacral nerve root compression. This can result in muscle weakness and present with or without pain. The difficulty when managing patients with these conditions is knowing when surgery is better than non-operative treatment: the evidence is controversial. Younger patients with a lesser degree of weakness for a shorter period of time have been shown to respond better to surgical treatment than older patients with greater weakness for longer. However, they also constitute a group that fares better without surgery. The main indication for surgical treatment in the management of patients with lumbosacral nerve root compression should be pain rather than weakness.
In most cases of lumbar disc herniation, the primary problem is usually limited to radicular pain due to nerve compression on the herniated side, which is generally limited to the side of operation. The aim of this study was to reevaluate the side of the surgical approach in a selected group of patients with leg pain and contralateral lumbar disc herniation.
Included in this study were a total of 5 patients with lumbar disc herniations who presented with contralateral symptoms and neurological signs. In all cases, patients underwent a microdiscectomy from the side ipsilateral to the herniated lumbar disc, the side contralateral to the motor deficits and leg pain.
The symptoms and signs, to some extent, resolved during the immediate postoperative period. There were no postoperative complications.
The findings confirm that performing a laminotomy via the side of the herniation is sufficient for this group of patients.
Therapeutic selective nerve root blocks (SNRBs) are a common intervention for patients with sciatica. Patients often are referred to physical therapy after SNRBs, although the effectiveness of this intervention sequence has not been investigated.
This study was a preliminary investigation of the effectiveness of SNRBs, with or without subsequent physical therapy, in people with low back pain and sciatica.
This investigation was a pilot randomized controlled clinical trial.
The settings were spine specialty and physical therapy clinics.
Forty-four participants (64% men; mean age=38.5 years, SD=11.6 years) with low back pain, with clinical and imaging findings consistent with lumbar disk herniation, and scheduled to receive SNRBs participated in the study. They were randomly assigned to receive either 4 weeks of physical therapy (SNRB+PT group) or no physical therapy (SNRB alone [SNRB group]) after the injections.
All participants received at least 1 SNRB; 28 participants (64%) received multiple injections. Participants in the SNRB+PT group attended an average of 6.0 physical therapy sessions over an average of 23.9 days.
Outcomes were assessed at baseline, 8 weeks, and 6 months with the Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire, a numeric pain rating scale, and the Global Rating of Change.
Significant reductions in pain and disability occurred over time in both groups, with no differences between groups at either follow-up for any outcome. Nine participants (5 in the SNRB group and 4 in the SNRB+PT group) underwent surgery during the follow-up period.
The limitations of this study were a relatively short-term follow-up period and a small sample size.
A physical therapy intervention after SNRBs did not result in additional reductions in pain and disability or perceived improvements in participants with low back pain and sciatica.
Review of studies on sciatica prevalence and synthesis of available evidence.
To assess the studies on sciatica prevalence, discuss reasons for variation in estimates, provide suggestions for improving accuracy of recording sciatica in epidemiological and outcome studies so as to enable better evaluation of natural history and treatment effect in the presence of low back pain related sciatica.
Sciatica is a common cause of pain and disability. It is more persistent and severe than low back pain, has a less favorable outcome and consumes more health resources. However, sciatica prevalence rates reported in different studies and reviews vary considerably and provide no clear picture about sciatica prevalence.
A literature search of all English language peer reviewed publications was conducted using Medline, EMBASE, and CINAHL for the years 1980-2006. Two reviewers extracted data on sciatica prevalence and definitions from the identified articles.
Of the papers retrieved, 23 were included in the review. Only 2 studies out of the 23 used clinical assessment for assessing sciatic symptoms, and definitions of sciatica varied widely. Sciatica prevalence from different studies ranged from 1.2% to 43%.
Sciatica prevalence estimates vary considerably between studies. This may be due to differences in definitions, methods of data collection and perhaps populations studied. Suggestions are made on how to improve accuracy of capturing sciatica in epidemiological studies.
An explanation for leg pain on the opposite side of the myelographic defect in one case is reported. Disc herniation was located superior to the exit of the root and thus displaced the dura and compressed the root on the opposite side against the pedicle producing contralateral leg pain.
Chemical radiculitis is an inflammatory condition of the nerve root due to the rupture of the annulus fibrosus and dissemination of disk fluid along the nerve root sheath. The inflammatory component of disk fluid is glycoprotein. The inflammation is a reaction to repeated injuries of the spinal column, as for example, in occupational lifting of heavy loads. Rupture of the annulus fibrosus and liberation of disk fluid into the tissues also evokes circulating antibody response and auto immune reaction. A high titer to glycoprotein at 3 weeks after an acute attack of back pain is evidence of the presence of a significant disk lesion. In selected cases immediate relief from pain occurs after administration of cortisone or a suitable cortisone-derivative. Prolonged rest may be contraindicated because of the risk of formation of radicular adhesions.
Three cases of lumbar radiculopathy contralateral to an upper lumbar disc herniation are reported. This clinical syndrome is explained on the basis of prominent spondylotic changes and stenosis contralateral to the side of disc herniation associated with anatomical anomalies of lumbar nerve roots. The disc herniation causes displacement and impaction of the dural sac with the emerging nerve roots in a narrowed lateral recess.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the natural history of morphologic changes within the lumbar spine in patients who sustained lumbar disc extrusions. All patients in this study were treated nonoperatively for radicular pain and neurologic loss. The following questions were addressed: 1) Does perithecal or perineural fibrosis result when extrusions are not removed surgically, and 2) Do disc extrusions spontaneously resolve, and, if so, how rapidly? The study population consisted of 11 patients with extrusions and radiculopathy. All patients were successfully treated nonoperatively. All had a primary complaint of leg pain and all had positive straight leg raising reproducing their leg pain at less than or equal to 60 degrees. Additionally, 87% had muscle weakness on a neurologic basis in a root level distribution corresponding to the site of disc pathology. Computed tomographic (CT) examinations were obtained on all patients at the inception of treatment. These studies were compared with follow-up MRI studies. The initial CT scans were evaluated for the following criteria: disc size and position, thecal sac effacement, nerve root enlargement or displacement, and evidence of central or intervertebral canal stenosis. In addition to the pathomorphology evaluated on the CT scans, follow-up MRI studies also evaluated disc hydration at the herniated and contiguous levels, and the presence of perithecal or perineural fibrosis. The following grading system was used to evaluate change in fragment size on the follow-up studies: Grade 1-0 to 50% decrease in size; Grade 2-50 to 75% decrease in size; Grade 3-75 to 100% decrease in size.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The functional outcome of patients with lumbar herniated nucleus pulposus without significant stenosis was analyzed in a retrospective cohort study. Inclusion criteria were as follows: 1) a chief complaint of leg pain, primarily; 2) a positive straight leg raising (SLR) at less than 60 degrees reproducing the leg pain; 3) a computed tomography (CT) scan demonstrating a herniated nucleus pulposus without significant stenosis by a radiologist's reading, which was also confirmed by the authors; 4) a positive electromyogram (EMG) demonstrating evidence of radiculopathy; and 5) response to a follow-up questionnaire. All patients had undergone an aggressive physical rehabilitation program consisting of back school and stabilization exercise training. Of a total of 347 consecutively identified patients, 64 patients with an average follow-up time of 31.1 months met the inclusion criteria and constituted the study population. They were sent questionnaires that inquired about activity level, pain level, work status, and further medical care. The patients with neurologic loss, extruded discs, and those seeking a second opinion regarding surgery were identified and subgrouped. Results for the total group included 90% good or excellent outcome with a 92% return to work rate. For the subgroups with extruded discs and second opinions, 87% and 83% had good or excellent outcomes, respectively, all (100%) of whom returned to work. Sick leave time for these subgroups was 2.9 months (+/- 1.4 months) and 3.4 months (+/- 1.7 months), respectively. These results compared favorably with previously published surgical studies. Four of six patients who required surgery were found to have stenosis at operation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
In the United Kingdom (UK), 9% of adults consult their doctor annually with back pain. The treatment recommendations are based on orthopaedic teaching, but the current management is causing increasing dissatisfaction. Many general practitioners (GPs) are confused about what constitutes effective advice.
To review all randomized controlled trials of bed rest and of medical advice to stay active for acute back pain.
A systematic review based on a search of MEDLINE and EMBASE from 1966 to April 1996 with complete citation tracking for randomized controlled trials of bed rest or medical advice to stay active and continue ordinary daily activities. The inclusion criteria were: primary care setting, patients with low back pain of up to 3 months duration, and patient-centred outcomes (rate of recovery from the acute attack, relief of pain, restoration of function, satisfaction with treatment, days off work and return to work, development of chronic pain and disability, recurrent attacks, and further health care use).
Ten trials of bed rest and eight trials of advice to stay active were identified. Consistent findings showed that bed rest is not an effective treatment for acute low back pain but may delay recovery. Advice to stay active and to continue ordinary activities results in a faster return to work, less chronic disability, and fewer recurrent problems.
A simple but fundamental change from the traditional prescription of bed rest to positive advice about staying active could improve clinical outcomes and reduce the personal and social impact of back pain.
To identify the magnetic resonance (MR) abnormalities of the lumbar spine that have a low prevalence in asymptomatic patients and thus determine the findings that are predictive of low back pain in symptomatic patients.
Sagittal T1-weighted and sagittal and axial T2-weighted MR images were obtained in 60 asymptomatic volunteers aged 20-50 years. The MR images were evaluated with regard to intervertebral disk abnormalities, end plate abnormalities, and osteoarthritis of the facet joints by two musculoskeletal radiologists independently.
Disk bulging or disk protrusion was found in 42 (14%) and 48 (16%) of the intervertebral spaces in 37 (62%) and 40 (67%) subjects, respectively. High-signal-intensity zones were found commonly (in 23 [7.7%] and 25 [8.3%] of the intervertebral spaces in 19 (32%) and 20 (33%) subjects, respectively). Disk extrusions were less common (in 11 [3.7%] and 11 [3.7%] of the intervertebral spaces in 11 (18%) and 11 (18%) subjects, respectively). There were no disk sequestrations. A nerve root compression in a single intervertebral space was diagnosed by one reader. End plate abnormalities were found in two (0.7%) and six (1.9%) of the intervertebral spaces in two (3%) and six (10%) subjects, respectively. No severe osteoarthritis was diagnosed by either reader.
In patients younger than 50 years, disk extrusion and sequestration, nerve root compression, end plate abnormalities, and osteoarthritis of the facet joints are rare and, therefore, may be predictive of low back pain in symptomatic patients.
It is hypothesized that, in a large number of cases of aspecific low back pain, the primary cause of the pain is a fracture of the vertebral endplate caused by compression forces. Clinical studies have shown that, in many low back pain patients, damage of the vertebral bodies and or the intervertebral disc is present. In vitro studies reveal that the most likely type of failure of this anterior part of the spine is a fracture of the endplate as a result of compression. The high incidence of aspecific low back pain concurs with the likeliness of compression fractures of the endplate to occur in everyday life. Furthermore, epidemiological findings and the natural history of low back pain appear to be in line with the proposed hypothesis.
In this retrospective study, five patients are described in whom the dural sac at the thoracic and lumbar spine was compressed by a herniated disk or stenosis, located eccentrically in the spinal canal. In all of them, the symptoms or neurologic findings were dominantly in the limb contralateral to the side of compression. All five patients were operated on and the compressing disk or lamina was removed, resulting in immediate improvement of symptoms. In only one of the patients was the compression at the common level of L4-L5. In the remaining four patients, compression was at the low thoracic or upper lumbar spine. With the exception of one patient, the area of canal compression was greater than 50%.
Balance performance in unstable sitting and trunk muscle response to quick force release were measured in 16 patients with chronic low back pain and 14 matched healthy control subjects.
To determine whether patients with low back pain will exhibit poorer postural control, which will be associated with longer average muscle response times.
Larger postural sway during standing and delayed trunk muscle response times for patients with low back pain have been reported in several independent studies.
Unstable sitting test was accomplished by attaching different sized hemispheres to the bottom of a seat. Subjects performed trials with eyes open and closed while the displacements of the center of pressure were measured with a force plate underneath the seat. Response to a quick force release was recorded from 12 major trunk muscles with surface electromyography. Subjects performed isometric trunk exertions in a semi-seated position when the resisted force was suddenly released with an electromagnet. Average muscle response times and balance performance were correlated using a linear regression analysis.
Patients with low back pain demonstrated poorer balance performance than healthy control volunteers, especially at the most difficult levels. Patients also had delayed muscle response times to quick force release. Average muscle onset times together with age and weight correlated significantly with balance performance with closed eyes (R(2) = 0.46), but not with eyes opened (R(2) = 0.18).
Patients with chronic low back pain demonstrated poorer postural control of the lumbar spine and longer trunk muscle response times than healthy control volunteers. Correlation between these two phenomena suggests a common underlying pathology in the lumbar spine.
A prospective cohort study.
To assess 10-year outcomes of patients with sciatica resulting from a lumbar disc herniation treated surgically or nonsurgically.
There is little information comparing long-term outcomes of surgical and conservative therapy of lumbar disc herniation in contemporary clinical practice. Prior studies suggest that these outcomes are similar.
Patients recruited from the practices of orthopedic surgeons, neurosurgeons, and occupational medicine physicians throughout Maine had baseline interviews with follow-up questionnaires mailed at regular intervals over 10 years. Clinical data were obtained at baseline from a physician questionnaire. Primary analyses were based on initial treatment received, either surgical or nonsurgical. Secondary analyses examined actual treatments received by 10 years. Outcomes included patient-reported symptoms of leg and back pain, functional status, satisfaction, and work and disability compensation status.
Of 507 eligible consenting patients initially enrolled, 10-year outcomes were available for 400 of 477 (84%) surviving patients; 217 of 255 (85%) treated surgically, and 183 of 222 (82%) treated nonsurgically. Patients undergoing surgery had worse baseline symptoms and functional status than those initially treated nonsurgically. By 10 years, 25% of surgical patients had undergone at least one additional lumbar spine operation, and 25% of nonsurgical patients had at least one lumbar spine operation. At 10-year follow-up, 69% of patients initially treated surgically reported improvement in their predominant symptom (back or leg pain) versus 61% of those initially treated nonsurgically (P = 0.2). A larger proportion of surgical patients reported that their low back and leg pain were much better or completely gone (56% vs. 40%, P = 0.006) and were more satisfied with their current status (71% vs. 56%, P = 0.002). Treatment group differences persisted after adjustment for other determinants of outcome in multivariate models. Change in the modified Roland back-specific functional status scale favored surgical treatment, and the relative benefit persisted over the follow-up period. Despite these differences, work and disability status at 10 years were comparable among those treated surgically or nonsurgically.
Surgically treated patients with a herniated lumbar disc had more complete relief of leg pain and improved function and satisfaction compared with nonsurgically treated patients over 10 years. Nevertheless, improvement in the patient's predominant symptom and work and disability outcomes were similar regardless of treatment received. For patients in whom elective discectomy is a treatment option, an individualized treatment plan requires patients and their physicians to integrate clinical findings with patient preferences based on their symptoms and goals.
A follow-up study evaluating postural control, lumbar movement perception, and paraspinal muscle reflexes in disc herniation-related chronic low back pain (LBP) before and after discectomy.
To assess the effect of discectomy on postural control, lumbar perception, and reflex activation of paraspinal muscles during sudden upper limb loading.
Impaired muscle function, postural control, and lumbar proprioception have been observed in LBP. However, they have not been studied in sciatica patients after surgery.
The study included 20 patients selected for an operation for chronic LBP caused by disc herniation and 15 controls without chronic LBP. The paraspinal muscle responses for upper limb loading during unexpected and expected conditions were measured by surface electromyography. The ability to sense lumbar rotation was assessed in a previously validated motorized trunk rotation unit in the seated position. The postural control was measured with a vertical force platform. Pain, disability, and depression scores were recorded.
Patients had poorer lumbar perception (P = 0.012) and postural control (P < 0.05) than did healthy controls. The postural control remained unchanged, but lumbar perception (P = 0.054) and the lumbar feed-forward control (P = 0.043) improved after the surgery.
The results demonstrate impaired lumbar proprioception and postural control in sciatica patients. During short-term follow-up after operative treatment, postural control does not seem to change, but impaired lumbar proprioception and feed-forward control of paraspinal muscles seem to recover.
Double-blinded randomized controlled trial.
To test the short-term efficacy of a single intravenous (IV) pulse of glucocorticoids on the symptoms of acute discogenic sciatica.
The use of glucocorticoids in the treatment of acute discogenic sciatica is controversial. A potential advantage of the IV pulse therapy is the ability to distribute high glucocorticoid concentrations to the area surrounding the prolapsed disc without the risks and inconveniences of an epidural injection.
Patients with acute sciatica (<6-week duration) of radiologically confirmed discogenic origin were randomized to receive either a single IV bolus of 500 mg of methylprednisolone or placebo. Clinical evaluation was performed in a double-blind manner on days 0, 1, 2, 3, 10, and 30. The primary outcome was reduction in sciatic leg pain during the first 3 days following the infusion; secondary outcomes were reduction in low back pain, global pain, functional disability, and signs of radicular irritation. The analysis was performed on an intent-to-treat basis using a longitudinal regression model for repeated measures.
A total of 65 patients were randomized, and 60 completed the treatment and the follow-up assessments. A single IV bolus of glucocorticoids provided significant improvement in sciatic leg pain (P = 0.04) within the first 3 days. However, the effect size was small, and the improvement did not persist. IV glucocorticoids had no effect on functional disability or clinical signs of radicular irritation.
Although an IV bolus of glucocorticoids provides a short-term improvement in leg pain in patients with acute discogenic sciatica, its effects are transient and have small magnitude.
We aimed to investigate whether the addition of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or spinal manipulative therapy, or both, would result in faster recovery for patients with acute low back pain receiving recommended first-line care.
240 patients with acute low back pain who had seen their general practitioner and had been given advice and paracetamol were randomly allocated to one of four groups in our community-based study: diclofenac 50 mg twice daily and placebo manipulative therapy (n=60); spinal manipulative therapy and placebo drug (n=60); diclofenac 50 mg twice daily and spinal manipulative therapy (n=60); or double placebo (n=60). The primary outcome was days to recovery from pain assessed by survival curves (log-rank test) in an intention-to-treat analysis. This trial was registered with the Australian Clinical Trials Registry, ACTRN012605000036617.
Neither diclofenac nor spinal manipulative therapy appreciably reduced the number of days until recovery compared with placebo drug or placebo manipulative therapy (diclofenac hazard ratio 1.09, 95% CI 0.84-1.42, p=0.516; spinal manipulative therapy hazard ratio 1.01, 95% CI 0.77-1.31, p=0.955). 237 patients (99%) either recovered or were censored 12 weeks after randomisation. 22 patients had possible adverse reactions including gastrointestinal disturbances, dizziness, and heart palpitations. Half of these patients were in the active diclofenac group, the other half were taking placebo. One patient taking active diclofenac had a suspected hypersensitivity reaction and ceased treatment.
Patients with acute low back pain receiving recommended first-line care do not recover more quickly with the addition of diclofenac or spinal manipulative therapy.
Lumbosacral radiculopathy
- C E Alexander
- S C Dulebohn
Alexander CE, Dulebohn SC. Lumbosacral radiculopathy. StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL):
StatPearls Publishing; 2017.
- A H Ropper
- R D Zafonte
- Sciatica
Ropper AH, Zafonte RD. Sciatica. N Engl J Med.
2015;372:1240-1248.
A case report of lumbar disc herniation with contralateral symptoms
- T Shimamura
- Y Ohsawa
- K Yamaki
- J Kaiyama
- M Abe
Shimamura T, Ohsawa Y, Yamaki K, Kaiyama J,
Abe M. A case report of lumbar disc herniation
with contralateral symptoms. Seikeigeka. 1991;42:
1233-1236.
Single lumbar disc herniation with contralateral two nerve roots involvement: a case report
- T Higashi
- M Tanimoto
- A Honda
- S Numazaki
- Y Tatara
- A Kobayashi
Higashi T, Tanimoto M, Honda A, Numazaki S,
Tatara Y, Kobayashi A. Single lumbar disc
herniation with contralateral two nerve roots
involvement: a case report. Seikeigeka. 2002;53:
57-59.
Lumbar radiculopathy contralateral to the side of lumbar disc herniation
- T Hasegawa
- Y Imai
- R Katsuno
- K Ohnaru
- T Saeki
- Y Mikawa
Hasegawa T, Imai Y, Katsuno R, Ohnaru K,
Saeki T, Mikawa Y. Lumbar radiculopathy
contralateral to the side of lumbar disc herniation.
Kawasaki Med J. 2005;31:47-54.
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rights reserved.
Single lumbar disc herniation with contralateral two nerve roots involvement: a case report
- Higashi
A case report of lumbar disc herniation with contralateral symptoms
- Shimamura
Lumbar radiculopathy contralateral to the side of lumbar disc herniation
- Hasegawa