This is dependent upon the symptoms that surgery is contemplated for. If this herniation causes central stenosis (narrowing) and the symptoms are neurogenic claudication (see website), surgery is generally 90-95% effective for satisfaction.
If the central disc herniation is causing only lower back pain (and there are no other pain generators at other levels), the success rate is lower. Microdiscectomy for lower back pain is about 60% effective. This is a better number than you might realize as the alternative to a small decompression procedure is a fusion. Fusion is a bigger procedure that takes about 5 months to fully recover but has a 90% success rate. The microdisectomy only takes about 6 weeks to recover.
In my book, it is probably worth the 40% lack of success rate to have a small decompression procedure with a reasonable chance of success. If this procedure is not effective, the fusion can always be performed down the road without penalty (other than time and finances). I generally give my patients with this disorder the two options and almost always they pick the decompression first
Dr. Corenman
PLEASE REMEMBER, THIS FORUM IS MEANT TO PROVIDE GENERAL INFORMATION ON SPINE ANATOMY, CONDITIONS AND TREATMENTS. TO GET AN ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS, YOU MUST VISIT A QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL IN PERSON.
Donald Corenman, MD, DC is a highly-regarded spine surgeon, considered an expert in the area of neck and back pain. Trained as both a Medical Doctor and Doctor of Chiropractic, Dr. Corenman earned academic appointments as Clinical Assistant Professor and Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, and his research on spine surgery and rehabilitation has resulted in the publication of multiple peer-reviewed articles and two books.
