The risk for re-herniation following a lumbar discectomy has always been high, due to the removal of up to 15 percent of a herniated disc, resulting in a large annular defect. The annulus is the tough fibrous and circular exterior of a disc. When there is a hole or defect resulting from a discectomy or microdiscectomy, it can be weakened, leaving the disc more susceptible to re-herniation.
The facts about re-herniation
In all patients, re-herniation can occur in about 10 to 25 percent of cases. In a research study, conducted in part by Dr. Stieber, patients with larger annular defects (6 to 10 mm wide by 4 to 6mm long) are at higher risk of re-herniation. Over 25 percent of patients who underwent a lumbar discectomy were observed to experience recurrent herniation within two years after the initial surgery. Those who were most likely to suffer from recurrent herniation were women at or above age 50, experiencing a risk up to 10 times higher than other patients.
Improving the odds
In order to mitigate that risk, an FDA-approved Barricaid Annular Closure device has shown to improve a patient’s odds of avoiding re-herniation. This device uses woven fabric to block these large annular defects in patients after a lumbar discectomy and then connects to the adjacent vertebrae with a titanium bone anchor to better handle the stresses to help avoid recurrent herniation.
The Barricaid Annular Closure Device can be implanted immediately after microdiscectomy to close the annular defect, preserve the disc material, and prevent re-herniation. This device is particularly helpful for patients who have tall discs and large annular defects as they are more likely to experience recurrent herniation.
As an expert in the study of disc herniation and recurrent herniation, Dr. Stieber can go through the process of a discectomy or microdiscectomy and determine if using the Barricaid Annular Closure Device will benefit your specific condition and help prevent the risk of disc re-herniation.
Please reach out to schedule a consultation with Dr. Stieber, a top spine surgeon in NYC, to learn more about decreasing your risk of re-herniation after a discectomy or microdiscectomy.
