Recurrent Lumbar Disk Herniation and Revision Surgery Rates After Single-Level Lumbar Microdiscectomy in the Military Population

This retrospective study demonstrates a same-level recurrence rate of 22.8% with an 11.7% revision surgery rate. Within this group, 9.6% would require two or more revision surgeries and 42.1% of these revision microdiscectomy patients would ultimately undergo a lumbar arthrodesis at the same level as the initial disk herniation. Our findings characterize the lumbar disk reherniation population in the military health system, with major implications for the prognosis and treatment strategy of these commonly treated injuries.