Abstract

Objectives: Lumbar disc herniation is a common condition that occurs within a disc and low back pain is the most common symptom. In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the use and helpfulness of the methods used by patients to manage low back pain after lumbar disc herniation surgery. Methods: This study was carried out with 99 voluntary patients who were hospitalized in the neurosurgery department of a university hospital in Turkey, between 18 April 2016 and 14 December 2017. Data were collected using a Personal Information Form, Pain Management Inventory, and Visual Analog Scale. Results: The mean low back pain severity score of the patients was 6.41 ± 2.08. To relieve low back pain, the most used pain management method and the first method identified by the patients as most helpful in relieving pain was taking prescribed medication. Conclusion: Study findings suggest that patients who suffer low back pain after lumbar disc herniation surgery experiment with prescription medicine and find it helpful. Because ongoing pain medication may mask the symptoms of lumber disc herniation progression, it is important that nurses who work at neurosurgery department should provide sufficient information for the patients about the pain management after surgery.