Microscopic lumbar discectomy results for 60 cases in professional and Olympic athletes.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT There is no documented information indicating time for return to play after lumbar discectomy in professional and Olympic athletes. PURPOSE To determine the rate of return to sport and the average time of recovery in elite athletes undergoing microscopic lumbar discectomy (MLD). STUDY DESIGN Between 1984 and 1998, the senior author performed 60 MLDs on 59 professional and Olympic athletes with lumbar herniated nucleus pulposus. PATIENT SAMPLE Sixty consecutive MLDs performed on professional and Olympic athletes were reviewed. OUTCOME MEASURES The rate of return and the average time to return to sport were determined. Also, the distribution of pain and presence of neurologic deficits were recorded. METHODS A retrospective review was performed. RESULTS Follow-up indicated that all but 7 of the 60 cases had returned to their sport, including one who underwent a second MLD for a herniation at an adjacent level. The average time from surgery to return was 5.2 months for the entire group, with a range of 1 to 15 months. CONCLUSION MLD was effective in correcting the problems that forced the athletes to seek help, and the time to return often depends on factors other than their medical condition. Postoperatively, a complete trunk stabilization rehabilitation program was effective in returning these athletes to a high level of competition.