Functional Outcomes After Lumbar Microdiscectomy for Lumbar Disc Herniation: A Single-Center Experience

Abstract

Background: A herniated disc in the lower back is one of the most common sources of pain and radiculopathy, and can seriously limit a patient's function and quality of life. For patients with chronic pain who do not respond to conservative pain relief, the most common surgical procedure is lumbar microdiscectomy. This study aimed to assess the functional outcome after lumbar microdiscectomy for lumbar disc herniation.

Objective: To evaluate functional outcomes after lumbar microdiscectomy and to determine factors associated with better recovery.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 100 patients who underwent lumbar microdiscectomy for symptomatic lumbar disc herniation between January 2023 and December 2024. The demographic, clinical, radiological, and operative information was retrieved from the medical records. Functional outcome was assessed using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) preoperatively and at 6 months after surgery. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 27. The continuous variables were presented as mean ± standard deviation, and categorical variables were represented by frequency and percentages. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: The study included 62 males and 38 females, with a mean age of 44.8 ± 11.2 years. The L4–L5 level was the most frequently affected (54%), followed by L5–S1 (36%). Mean ODI significantly improved from 56.4 ± 12.7 preoperatively to 18.9 ± 9.3 postoperatively (p < 0.001), while mean VAS scores decreased from 8.2 ± 1.1 to 2.1 ± 1.3 (p < 0.001). Good-to-excellent functional recovery was achieved in 87% of patients. Younger age (<50 years) (p = 0.028) and symptom duration <6 months (p = 0.015) were significantly associated with better outcomes. Overall complication rate was 6%, with no procedure-related mortality.

Conclusion: Lumbar microdiscectomy is an effective and safe surgery with a high degree of pain relief and function improvement for patients with lumbar disc herniation. Postoperative recovery was better for those who underwent early surgery and those who were younger.