Background: Adolescent prolapsed lumbar intervertebral disc (PLID) is an uncommon yet significant cause of back pain and neurological symptoms in young individuals. Management strategies include both conservative and surgical approaches, but there is limited data on outcomes specific to the adolescent population. Aim: To evaluate the management strategies and clinical outcomes of adolescent PLID in a prospective study. Methods: This prospective study included 50 adolescents diagnosed with PLID at a tertiary care center over 18 months. Clinical presentation, management approaches (conservative or surgical), and outcomes were recorded. Pain relief and functional improvement were measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), respectively, at baseline and after treatment. Results: Conservative management was effective in 60% of patients, showing significant reductions in VAS (from 7.8 to 2.5) and ODI scores (from 68% to 24%) over six weeks. Surgical intervention achieved excellent outcomes, with post-treatment VAS and ODI scores improving to 1.8 and 18%, respectively. Minimal complications were noted, and recurrence rates were low (10% in the conservative group and 5% in the surgical group). Conclusion: Both conservative and surgical treatments are effective in managing adolescent PLID, with surgical intervention offering slightly better pain relief and functional recovery for severe cases. Early diagnosis and individualized management strategies are crucial to achieving optimal outcomes in this population.

Adolescent lumbar disc herniation, conservative management, surgery, outcomes, back pain