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Symptom Improvement With or Without Surgery for Lumbar Herniated Disc

Within 3 months, 66 people out of 100 who had surgery had no symptoms or almost no symptoms compared to 62 who had nonsurgical treatment. Within 1 year, 76 people out of 100 who had surgery had no symptoms or almost no symptoms compared to 67 who had nonsurgical treatment. Within 2 years, 76 people out of 100 who had surgery had no symptoms or almost no symptoms compared to 69 who had non-surgical treatment.

In a group of 100 people who had sciatica caused by a herniated disc, the chances of having no symptoms or almost no symptoms 3 months to 2 years later was a little higher with surgery than with non-surgical treatment. But overall most people felt better with or without surgery.

Current as of: March 2, 2020

Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review: Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine
Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine
Donald Sproule MDCM, CCFP - Family Medicine
Robert B. Keller MD - Orthopedics
Kenneth J. Koval MD - Orthopedic Surgery, Orthopedic Trauma