HERNIATED INTERVERTEBRAL LUMBAR DISC IN THE TEENAGER

Abstract

1. Of 456 patients with features of herniated intervertebral disc eight were under twenty years of age. 2. Differences in the pattern of clinical presentation of the herniated disc syndrome in adults and in adolescents are discussed. 3. Whereas in the adult conservative treatment is usually successful, this is not so in the adolescent, in whom the symptoms and signs tend to persist for many months. 4. It is suggested that in the adolescent conservative treatment should not be prolonged despite the absence of neurological deficit; operation should be undertaken early after confirmation of the diagnosis by myelography.