Surgical treatment of lumbar disc herniation: MIS, endoscopic, and percutaneous techniques

Lumbar disc herniation is one of the most common causes of low back pain and may be accompanied by numbness, weakness, tingling, and radiating pain in the legs. Majority of patients with radiculopathy secondary to lumbar disc herniation may be successfully treated with non-operative management including physical therapy, home exercise, counseling, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications. However, surgical management of lumbar disc herniation has also been demonstrated as an efficacious treatment modality. The purpose of this paper is to characterize the indications, techniques, outcomes, and the complications associated with the surgical treatment of lumbar disc herniation treated with minimally invasive techniques.