Lumbar spinal surgery for sciatica due to intervertebral disc disease in the elderly.

This report reviews 36 patients aged 71 to 93 years who had lumbar spinal surgery for sciatica pain some with motor and or sensory disturbances and with no motor and sensory disturbances. Even though we found soft disc herniations, these patients should have a thorough circumferential decompression because of bony osteophytes and facet hypertrophy. Special attention is drawn to the removal of herniated discs associated with massive spondylotic degenerative changes.