Background: With advancement of MRI technology, numerous studies have showed probability of spontaneous regression of the herniated disc.This is usually associated with recovery of neurological symptoms.
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to highlight the potential for spontaneous resorption of intervertebral disc herniations, review the literature and discuss the duration of conservative treatment.
Study Design: Retrospective study.
Patients and Methods: In this study patients with spontaneous regression of intervertebral disc herniation were reviewed. All patients were presented with a single level intervertebral disc herniation and radiculopathy. 6 patients had lumber disc hernition and one patient had cervical disc hernition. Surgical intervention was offered to them but all patients refused and were treated conservatively. Initial MRI was done at presentation and repeated in follow up.
Results: Seven patients were identified with a mean age of 35.5 years (range from 28 to 47). 5 patients were male and 2 were female. All patients recovered from their radicular pain within a mean 5 weeks (range from 3 to 8) of conservative treatment. Repeated MRI after a mean 12 months (range from 6 to 18) showed spontaneous resorption of the herniated intervertebral disc in all patients.
Conclusions: Herniated intervertebral disc can be resorped spontaneously. A chance of conservative treatment should be given to patients with radicular pain caused by intervertebral disc herniation with no neurological deficits, if patients report improvement of his symptoms, conservative therapy should be continued. If there is no improvement, surgery should be considered. The reasonable duration of conservative therapy is two months.
(2016ESJ095)
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