Can you Reherniate a Disc after Spine Surgery?
Category: Spine Surgery | Author: Stefano Sinicropi
Microdiscectomy surgery is a common procedure used to correct a herniated spinal disc that may be impacting nerves. The procedure involves removing the bulging part of the spinal disc. This surgery has a high success rate, but some patients experience re-herniations after surgery. In this article we are going to discuss the possibility of re-herniating a spinal disc after a minimally invasive spine surgery. We will talk about the symptoms of reherniation and what to do if it happens to you.
Causes & Symptoms of Disc Reherniation
There are several factors that can cause a disc to reherniate (also known as a recurrent disc herniation) after surgery to correct a herniated disc. Injury to the spine is the most common. Recurrent herniations usually occur in the first few months after surgery, though they can pop up years down the line as well.
Symptoms of a reherniated disc after spine surgery can include any of the following:
- Back pain at the site of surgery
- Numbness or loss of feeling in the legs or buttocks
- Issues with bladder or bowel control
Talk to you surgeon if any of these relate to your condition.
Treating a Reherniated Disc after Surgery
If a disc herniates again after a microdiscectomy or other spinal procedure, typically the best treatment approach is to fix the herniated disc with a revision surgery. If there are several herniations present, a spinal fusion may be the best option to prevent further occurrences. In a fusion surgery, the discs are completely removed and the vertebrae are fused together. This is a surefire way to prevent re-herniation.
Contact your surgeon if you experience any of the symptoms of a re-herniated disc after your discectomy surgery. Your physician can determine the extent of the herniation, and talk to you about your options for treatment.
