Herniated lumbar discs in teenagers

Abstract

Forty-three patients under the age of 19 in whom a lumbar disc protrusion was diagnosed and surgically demonstrated are reviewed. The symptomatology resembles that of adults. In 19 cases there was clear relation of trauma to the onset of symptoms. The results of surgical treatment are discussed.

Lumbar Disc Herniation in Patients Up to 25 Years of Age.

“…6,8,12,14) Trauma was identified as the triggering factor in 44% 25) and 36% of patients, 22) and a correlation was found between trauma and intervertebral disc herniation in 50% of cases. 2) In this context, it is important to distinguish between repetitive microtraumatic injuries inflicted, for instance, by sports activities from a single traumatic event as the immediate trigger of disc herniation. Trauma, mostly during sporting activities, was involved in 17 of 29 patients (58.6%).…”

“…4,7,18) No differences have been found in the course of lumbar disc herniation between adult and young patients, 6,9,12) although age-related differences in clinical manifestations were identified. 2,10,19,21,24) There is general agreement that there is a rather long delay between the onset of symptoms and surgical treatment in young patients as compared to older ones. 2,6,9,10,12,19,21,24) Traumatic events appear to be a crucial factor in the occurrence of lumbar disc herniation in younger patients in contrast to adults, 2,6,8,12) whereas the involvement of a familial predisposition is controversial.…”

“…2,6,9,10,12,19,21,24) Traumatic events appear to be a crucial factor in the occurrence of lumbar disc herniation in younger patients in contrast to adults, 2,6,8,12) whereas the involvement of a familial predisposition is controversial. 1,2,4,5,14,[17][18][19] The current study tried to identify shared features and peculiarities of lumbar disc herniation in young patients by analyzing 165 cases in a total population of 6933 surgically treated patients.…”

Results of operation for lumbar disc protrusions in children

“…These were found in 3 of our patients, and a further one had leg length discrepancy. Others have reported transitional vertebra, spina bifida, spinal stenosis and lateral recess narrowing [1,5,12,26,33,41]. The incidence varies between 27 and 33% [5,11,12,15,25].…”

“…A significant family history has also been reported [9,11,18,32,35]. Asymmetry of the articular facets or some other congenital a n o m a l y such as spina bifida, transitional vertebra, rachischisis or leg length discrepancy, are also frequently associated with childhood protrusions [1,11,12,19,33].…”