We operatively treated 8 cases of discopathy, which did not respond to long-term conservative therapy. The mean term of conservative therapy was 4.08 years. Because of low back pain, all patients experience disability in their daily life. The clinical results were evaluated by the JOA score, and the recovery rate was determined by Hirabayashi's method. The preoperative mean JOA score was 9.8 points, which changed to 24.5 points, and mean recovery rate was 73.8%. All patients had undergone magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and discography. Discography is an indispensable examination to check the symptomatic level(s). We think that careful review of medical history is the most important factor in determining indication for operation.
