Surgical Treatment Comparison for Recurrent Lumbar Disc Herniation

Inclusion Criteria:

• Recurrent lumbar disc herniation by MRI or CT with history of decompression at the same level in the past
• Recurrent symptomatic history (with or without back pain) with radicular leg pain that improved following the first surgery
• Male or female 18-75 years old
• Flexion and extension x-rays that demonstrate an absence of sponylolisthesis or spondylolisthesis with less than 3 mm of movement

Exclusion Criteria:

• Recurrence of disc herniation within 3 months of first decompression
• Multiple level herniated discs
• No history of lumbar back surgery except as in Inclusion criteria above
• Documented severe osteoporosis or osteopenia
• Symptoms of low back pain only
• Diabetes mellitus
• Patients with suspected or diagnosed psychological/psychiatric problems that could compromise the reliability of their results
• Lumbar spondylolisthesis on flexion/extension x-rays > 3 mm
• History of lumbar spine fractures (new or old)
• Any concurrent medical condition that may interfere with the interpretation of efficacy and safety data during the study
• Autoimmune diseases
• Age less than 18 or greater than 75 years