Arthroscopic microdiscectomy of the lumbar spine.

Disc herniation in athletes is uncommon; however, it requires prompt diagnosis and treatment. Arthroscopic microdiscectomy is associated with minimal postoperative morbidity and it is particularly suitable for the surgical treatment of unremitting radiculopathy associated with herniated lumbar disc in athletes. The addition of the arthroscope and the deflecting instruments allows for visualization, identification, and extraction of posterior and posterolateral collagenized nuclear fragments that are believed to be the common cause of nerve root compression and sciatica following disc herniation.