Fortschr Med. 1978 Jul; 96(28): 1389-95.

[Conservative treatment of lumbar intervertebral disc displacement and its limits]

von Albert HH.

Non-surgical therapy of lumbar disc protrusions is based on complete differential diagnosis. Drug therapy means mainly muscle relaxants partly combined with analgetics. Physiotherapy is important, especially gymnastics and swimming. Chirotherapy is in most cases useful, but if 3 or 4 therapeutic sessions are without success, operation will be necessary. Indication ofr an operation can be (relatively) persisting disturbances, absolute indication is any kind of weakness or paresis.