ABSTRACT
Approximately 70" to 80" of the population will experience low back pain at some point in their lives. Low back pain has been described as the most common reason for missed workdays and occupational-related disability. The surgical approach for the microdiscectomy may influence the postoperative course. Specifically, the minimally invasive microdiscectomy technique has been associated with a shorter length of hospitalization, lower postoperative narcotic medication use, and lower risk of surgical site infections when compared to the traditional open technique. Recently, the combined task forces of the North American Spine Society, the American Society of Spine Radiology, and the American Society of Neuroradiology reported on their recommendations regarding the nomenclature for describing pathology of the lumbar disc. Pain and depressive mood symptoms secondary to chronic low back pain are often significantly improved in the majority of patients immediately following a microdiscectomy.
