Surgical Treatment Comparison for Recurrent Lumbar Disc Herniation

Inclusion Criteria: * Recurrent lumbar disc herniation by MRI or CT with history of decompression at the same level in the past * Recurrent symptomatic history (with or without back pain) with radicular leg pain that improved following the first surgery * Male or female 18-75 years old * Flexion and extension x-rays that demonstrate an absence of sponylolisthesis or spondylolisthesis with less than 3 mm of movement Exclusion Criteria: * Recurrence of disc herniation within 3 months of first decompression * Multiple level herniated discs * No history of lumbar back surgery except as in Inclusion criteria above * Documented severe osteoporosis or osteopenia * Symptoms of low back pain only * Diabetes mellitus * Patients with suspected or diagnosed psychological/psychiatric problems that could compromise the reliability of their results * Lumbar spondylolisthesis on flexion/extension x-rays \> 3 mm * History of lumbar spine fractures (new or old) * Any concurrent medical condition that may interfere with the interpretation of efficacy and safety data during the study * Autoimmune diseases * Age less than 18 or greater than 75 years