J Am Acad Orthop Sur
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Recurrent lumbar disk herniation is the most common complication following primary open diskectomy. It is defined as recurrent back and/or leg pain after a definite pain-free period lasting at least 6 months from initial surgery. Careful neurologic examination is critical, and laboratory tests should be ordered to evaluate for infection. ⋯ Treatment of recurrent lumbar disk herniation includes aggressive medical management and surgical intervention. Surgical techniques include conventional open diskectomy, minimally invasive open diskectomy, and open diskectomy with fusion. Fusion is necessary in the presence of concomitant segmental instability or significant foraminal stenosis resulting from disk space collapse.