Functional Outcome of Discectomy in Single Level Lumbar Disc Disease

Objective: To know functional outcome of discectomy in single level lumber disc disease.Materials and Methods: This prospective study was conducted in the Department of Neurosurgeryunit B, Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar from July 2014 to July 2016. Patients with severe leg pain, progressive neurological deficit, positive nerve root tension signs and disc herniation confirmed on radiology were included and conventional open discectomy was performed. Follow up was done for 6 months after surgery.Results: Ninety patients who were operated for single level herniated disc were included. Most commonly, the involved level was L4–5 followed by L5-S1. Improvement in leg pain was observed in 91.02 % of patients.Conclusion: Good preoperative workup is necessary for excellent postoperative results in herniated lumbar disc surgery. Outcome for leg pain is good as compared to only back pain. The poor outcome in the form of failed back surgery is due to improper preoperative workup and patient selection