Return to Sports Activities after Lumbar Disc Herniation Surgery: A Review  

作　　者：Iván Ulises Sámano López Ernesto Eduardo Galván Hernández Rafael Avendaño Pradel José Armando Biebrich Murguía Jorge Alberto Miranda Barrera Thania Karina Gutiérrez Anchondo Enrique Rosales Betancourt Iván Ulises Sámano López;Ernesto Eduardo Galván Hernández;Rafael Avendaño Pradel;José Armando Biebrich Murguía;Jorge Alberto Miranda Barrera;Thania Karina Gutiérrez Anchondo;Enrique Rosales Betancourt(Centro Mdico ABC, Ciudad de Mxico, Mxico)

机构地区：[1]Centro Mdico ABC, Ciudad de Mxico, Mxico

出　　处：《Open Journal of Modern Neurosurgery》2025年第1期37-47,共11页现代神经外科学进展(英文)

摘　　要：Background: Lumbar disc herniation is a common injury among athletes, especially those who practice disciplines with repetitive flexion movements, twisting and axial loading on the spine, such as weightlifting, gymnastics, hockey and American football. In refractory cases to conservative treatment, microscopic discectomy or full endoscopic discectomy are used as surgical options to relieve pain and restore patient functionality. However, the ideal time for a return to sports activities remains a matter of debate due to variations in recovery times and risks of complications associated with each technique. Methods: A review was conducted, including articles published in the last 33 years (1991-2024), as it was the earliest date matching our search criteria. Clinical studies, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and clinical guidelines were included. Results: The most common complications when returning to sport prematurely include recurrence of the hernia, persistent pain (VAS leg 7 or higher after surgery) and reduced physical performance. The return to full activity rate of patients who underwent microdiscectomy reaches up to 90%, while the endoscopic technique shows a success rate that reaches 99%. Return to play meantime was 5.19 months (range 1.00 - 8.7 months) and mean time of 4.6 months (range 2 - 8 months) with Microdiscectomy and full endoscopic discectomy respectively. Conclusions: There is no unanimous consensus on the exact timing of return to sport due to variability in recovery times and clinical outcomes. In both techniques, evidence highlights the need for a multidisciplinary approach that integrates surgeons, physical therapists and trainers to optimize recovery and ensure a safe return.Background: Lumbar disc herniation is a common injury among athletes, especially those who practice disciplines with repetitive flexion movements, twisting and axial loading on the spine, such as weightlifting, gymnastics, hockey and American football. In refractory cases to conservative treatment, microscopic discectomy or full endoscopic discectomy are used as surgical options to relieve pain and restore patient functionality. However, the ideal time for a return to sports activities remains a matter of debate due to variations in recovery times and risks of complications associated with each technique. Methods: A review was conducted, including articles published in the last 33 years (1991-2024), as it was the earliest date matching our search criteria. Clinical studies, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and clinical guidelines were included. Results: The most common complications when returning to sport prematurely include recurrence of the hernia, persistent pain (VAS leg 7 or higher after surgery) and reduced physical performance. The return to full activity rate of patients who underwent microdiscectomy reaches up to 90%, while the endoscopic technique shows a success rate that reaches 99%. Return to play meantime was 5.19 months (range 1.00 - 8.7 months) and mean time of 4.6 months (range 2 - 8 months) with Microdiscectomy and full endoscopic discectomy respectively. Conclusions: There is no unanimous consensus on the exact timing of return to sport due to variability in recovery times and clinical outcomes. In both techniques, evidence highlights the need for a multidisciplinary approach that integrates surgeons, physical therapists and trainers to optimize recovery and ensure a safe return.

关 键 词：Lumbar Disc Herniation MICRODISCECTOMY Lumbar Endoscopy Return to Sport Sports Injuries Sports Rehabilitation 

分 类 号：R73[医药卫生—肿瘤]