---
title: Can You Have a Microdiscectomy Twice?
description: After having a microdiscectomy, a person may experience reherniation of the affected spinal disc. Find out if it is possible to have a microdiscectomy twice.
image: https://blog.barricaid.com/hubfs/4.13%20-%20Can-You-Have-a-Microdiscectomy-Twice.jpg
---

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# Can a Microdiscectomy Be Repeated?

 April 13, 2022 | By [The Barricaid Team](https://blog.barricaid.com/blog/author/the-barricaid-team) | [Discectomy](https://blog.barricaid.com/blog/topic/discectomy), [Microdiscectomy](https://blog.barricaid.com/blog/topic/microdiscectomy)

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A microdiscectomy is a common spine procedure often done to ease nerve pressure caused by a herniated disc, also often referred to as a “slipped” or “bulging” disc. For most patients, a microdiscectomy is a procedure that's only done once, and it is often successful. However, there are situations when patients may need to have a second microdiscectomy, but not necessarily on the same disc. 

Disc Herniation Recurrence

One reason you might need a second microdiscectomy is if the same disc becomes herniated again. Reherniation isn't excessively common, but it sometimes occurs. This can happen shortly after the initial [microdiscectomy recovery](https://barricaid.com/) period or even several months or years after the first surgery. Potential causes of disc reherniation that requires another microdiscectomy include:

• Not enough disc material was removed during the first surgery

- A large hole was left in the disc due to injury or surgical access  
  • The remaining portion of the disc shifts position  
  • Certain motions or movements affect the disc over time  
  • Other changes occur within the spine that cause the disc to shift

Issues with Other Discs

You might need to have another microdiscectomy if a different spinal disc becomes herniated or damaged in some other way. This can happen if a disc that was previously stable becomes herniated enough to affect a nerve that's close to the spine. As is the case with reherniation, there are a number of factors that can cause a different spinal disc to become herniated, including:

• Age-related issues that often affect spinal discs  
• Excess wear and degeneration  
• An injury that affects another spinal disc

Conservative Treatment Instead of a Second Microdiscectomy

Each instance of disc-related pain is treated individually, so depending on the nature of your symptoms, your doctor may recommend other treatments first before advising you to have a second microdiscectomy. If your discomfort isn't severe, you may experience relief with:

• Physical therapy  
• A customized stretching and exercise routine  
• Adjustments to your posture, diet, and exercise habits  
• Injections directly into the affected area to improve results with physical therapy  
• Chiropractic adjustments

What to Expect with a Second Microdiscectomy

According to [Spine Health](https://www.spine-health.com/treatment/back-surgery/microdiscectomy-spine-surgery-risks-complications-and-success-rates), a revision microdiscectomy is typically as successful as the first procedure if a doctor deems it necessary. However, if your spine isn't stable after the second microdiscectomy, your doctor may recommend [spinal fusion surgery](https://barricaid.com/fda-approved-annular-closure-device/) as a secondary procedure to minimize movement within the affected area and stabilize the spine.

Reducing the Risk of Needing a Second Microdiscectomy

As long as you follow your doctor's instructions after your initial surgery, it's not likely you will need another microdiscectomy. Still, there are no guarantees a second surgery won't be a possibility later on if the spine continues to degenerate. However, you can take some steps to reduce your risk of needing a microdiscectomy again by:

• Eating nutrient-rich foods that keep your spinal discs and spine healthy  
• Watching your posture  
• Avoiding overly strenuous movements and activities  
• Discussing any new disc or spine pain with your doctor

Although discectomy surgery is generally a very successful procedure, a hole is left in the outer wall of the disc. **Patients with a large hole in the outer ring of the disc are more than twice as likely to reherniate after surgery.** A new treatment, Barricaid, which is a bone-anchored device proven to reduce the likelihood of a reherniation, was specifically designed to close the large hole often left in the spinal disc after microdiscectomy. In a large-scale study, **95 percent of Barricaid patients didn’t undergo a reoperation due to reherniation in the 2-year study timeframe.** This treatment is done immediately following the discectomy—during the same operation—and doesn’t require any additional incisions or time in the hospital. 

**If you have any questions about the Barricaid treatment or how to get access to Barricaid, ask your doctor or contact us at 844-288-7474.**

For full benefit/risk information, please visit:[https://www.barricaid.com/instructions](https://barricaid.com/instructions-for-use/).

 

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