Objective: To determine the outcome of surgical treatment for lumder disc herniation causing the painful incomplete foot drop.
Material and Methods: This retrospective observational study was conducted at the Department of Neurosurgery Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar. Both Male and female patients with lumbar disc disease causing unilateral incomplete painful foot drop were included in our study. Patients with complete or painless foot drop, bilateral foot-drop, Multiple level disc prolapse, cauda equina syndrome or sciatic neuropathy due to injection injury were excluded. Patients were followed was post-operatively in terms of power in foot dorsiflexion, medical research council (MRC) grade and pain relief on a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) after 1 month and then after 6 months.
Results: Total number of patients included were 43. Age was ranging from 18 years to 54 years and mean age was 33 years. Before surgery, power of MRC grade 3 or less, but greater than 1 in dorsiflexion was noted in all patients. The pain was scaled using VAS. Post peratively, at 1 month follow up, the foot-drop improved to MRC grade 4 or 5 along with pain relief of ≥ 2 points on VAS in 81. 4% (n = 35) patients and at 6 month follow-up, the figure rose to 93% (n = 40).
Conclusion: Lumbar disc disease can cause a debilitating foot-drop and pain. Improving or restoring a neurology early surgical intervention has proven benefits.
Outcome of Surgical Treatment for Lumber Disc Herniation Causing Painful Incomplete Foot-Drop
