You have a recurrent disc herniation. This is a “normal” post-operative complication after a prior disc herniation with a chance of about 10% in an active population. The highest chance of reherniation is in the first two months of the post-operative period.
The first recurrent disc herniation only needs another microdiscectomy. You do not need a TLIF fusion if there is no other reason (like instability or collapse). There is still a 10% chance of a recurrent herniation even after the second surgery.
If you do have a third hernation, you would then need a TLIF fusion. The chance of recurrent herniation goes up substantially after the third hernation and if the nerve is compressed more than three times, the chronic nerve injury rate also goes up (chronic radiculopathy- see website).
Dr. Corenman
PLEASE REMEMBER, THIS FORUM IS MEANT TO PROVIDE GENERAL INFORMATION ON SPINE ANATOMY, CONDITIONS AND TREATMENTS. TO GET AN ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS, YOU MUST VISIT A QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL IN PERSON.
Donald Corenman, MD, DC is a highly-regarded spine surgeon, considered an expert in the area of neck and back pain. Trained as both a Medical Doctor and Doctor of Chiropractic, Dr. Corenman earned academic appointments as Clinical Assistant Professor and Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, and his research on spine surgery and rehabilitation has resulted in the publication of multiple peer-reviewed articles and two books.
