I had a discectomy about a year ago. Now I have the same symptoms again. How is that possible? Once the disc is gone, how can it cause any symptoms?

You may have had an operation called a microdiscectomy. With microdiscectomy, the surgeon carefully removes just the herniated or damaged portion of the disc. Any healthy, viable tissue in good condition is left intact.

If you’ve had a microdiscectomy, it’s possible to reherniate the remaining disc material. A second operation called revision microdiscectomy may be needed. However, you may have a disc herniation at a different level either above or below the first herniation. This could also cause the same or similar symptoms to occur.

Only with a radical discectomy (complete removal of the disc) are you free of the worry of another herniation at the same location. Even with a radical discectomy, disc herniation at a different spinal level can occur.

It’s best to have your surgeon review your case and find out what’s going on. You may be able to treat your new symptoms with specific exercises prescribed by a physical therapist and avoid having another operation.