Indications for surgery versus conservative treatment in the management of lumbar disc herniations: A systematic review.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Lumbar disc herniation (LDH) is a leading cause of radiculopathy and low back pain, contributing significantly to global disability. Management strategies include conservative and surgical treatments, but clinical decision-making lacks standardization, particularly in surgical indications, timing, and criteria for transitioning from conservative management.

Research question

What are the surgical indications, criteria for transitioning from conservative to surgical management in LDH, and what role do motor deficits play?

Material and methods

Following PRISMA guidelines, a systematic search across major databases identified 20 studies. Risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle Ottawa Scale and RoB 1 tools. A qualitative synthesis was conducted, and the

SUBMITTER: Thavarajasingam SG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12513110 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature