JOURNAL ARTICLE
REVIEW
Add like
Add dislike
Add to saved papers

Foraminal and far lateral lumbar disc herniations: surgical alternatives and outcome measures.

Spinal Cord 2002 October
Far lateral disc herniations constitute 7-12% of all disc herniations. They may be purely far lateral or extraforaminal in location, located beyond the pedicles, or may include intraforaminal and even intracanalicular components. Occurring predominantly at the L4-L5 and L3-L4 levels in almost equal numbers, they are occasionally noted at L5-S1. Clinical syndromes reflect compression of the superiorly exiting nerve root and ganglion; ie an L4-L5 far lateral disc produces a L4 root syndrome. Clinical complaints often include severe radicular pain accompanied by very positive mechanical signs; Laségue and reverse Laségue (femoral stretch test) maneuvers. Neurological deficits, including motor, reflex, and sensory findings, are seen over 75% of the time. Although conservative management is occasionally successful (10%), surgery is usually required. The extent of stenosis and attendant degenerative changes dictate whether laminectomy, hemilaminectomy or laminotomy are required along with one of several facet resection options; full facetectomy, the intertransverse approach, medial facetectomy, or an extreme lateral procedure. Postoperatively, patients' neurological outcomes based on both surgeon and patient based outcome measures (SF-36), were comparable for the different surgical procedures which had been based on the individual patient's pathology.

Full text links

We have located links that may give you full text access.
Can't access the paper?
Try logging in through your university/institutional subscription. For a smoother one-click institutional access experience, please use our mobile app.

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

Mobile app image

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.

By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.

Your Privacy Choices Toggle icon

You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app