When is the appropriate time for surgical intervention of the herniated lumbar disc in the adolescent?

J Clin Neurosci. 2009 Jun 20; Fakouri B, Nnadi C, Boszczyk B, Kunsky A, Cacciola FSymptomatic lumbar disc herniation in the adolescent is uncommon. The appropriate treatment in this particular age group is not clear. We conducted a retrospective review of the medical, surgical, and radiological records of six adolescents with symptomatic lumbar disc herniation who underwent microdiscectomy after failed conservative therapy. The mean follow-up was 13months. All patients improved quickly and returned to their normal activity levels. We suggest that severe pain resulting from a herniated lumbar disc, even without any neurological deficit, is an indication for microdiscectomy in adolescents so that these patients return to full-time education and normal activities as soon as possible.