Short Versus Long Post-Operative Restrictions Following Lumbar Discectomy

• Reherniation Rates [ Time Frame: 2 years ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  To compare the reherniation rates between the restricted and unrestricted groups.
  
  

• Activity/Health Outcomes [ Time Frame: 2 years ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  To determine the return to full activity and return to work dates of both the restricted and unrestricted groups. Also, to assess the health outcomes of both the restricted and unrestricted groups.
  
  

Upon enrollment, subjects will be randomized to the "6-weeks of restriction" or "2-weeks of restriction" group. Subjects will also be asked to provide/complete:

• demographical information
• VAS back and leg score
• Modified Oswestry questionnaire

All of the surgeries will be performed using a so-called limited discectomy in which the herniated disc fragment is removed without an aggressive disc space curettage. Prior to surgery, the subjects' discs will be classified by the Primary Investigator and Site Responsible Investigator on a T-2 weighted MRI according to the Carragee Disc Herniation Classification system.

The discs will be reassessed intraoperatively by the surgeon to confirm the assigned classification. In addition, a radiologist will review a random sampling set of discs on T-2 weighted MRI to eliminate bias and validate the classifications.

Subjects will be followed for a 2 year time period with study visits at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, 1 year, and 2 years. At every follow-up visit, the following will be completed and/or documented:

• A reherniation (any clinical symptoms of a reherniation will be verified and documented by MRI)
• Return to full activity and/or work (date)
• VAS back and leg score
• Modified Oswestry questionnaire