Lumbar discectomy: has it got any ill-effects?

Lumbar discectomy is the most commonly performed surgical procedure for the treatment of patients with lumbar radiculopathy caused by prolapsed disk (1). It is considered a valid treatment option when the symptoms do not respond to conservative care for at least 8–12 weeks (2). Surgery should be performed earlier, instead, in the presence of neurological motor deficits or in case of patient’s desire to go back, as quicker as possible, to normal daily activities (e.g., professional athletes or persons with a very social or working busy life).