Undiagnosed Peripheral Nerve Disease in Patients with Failed Lumbar Disc Surgery

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study (level of evidence=3). PURPOSE: We examine the relationship between residual symptoms after discectomy for lumbar disc herniation and peripheral nerve (PN) neuropathy. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Patients may report persistent or recurrent symptoms after lumbar disc herniation surgery; others fail to respond to a variety of treatments. Some PN neuropathies elicit symptoms similar to those of lumbar spine disease. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data for 13 patients treated for persistent (n=2) or recurrent (n=11) low back pain (LBP) and/or leg pain after primary lumbar discectomy. RESULTS: Lumbar re-operation was required for four patients (three with recurrent lumbar disc herniation and one with lumbar canal stenosis). Superior cluneal nerve (SCN) entrapment neuropathy (EN) was noted in 12 patients; SCN block improved the symptoms for eight of these patients. In total, nine patients underwent PN surgery (SCN-EN, n=4; peroneal nerve EN, n=3; tarsal tunnel syndrome, n=1). Their symptoms improved significantly. CONCLUSIONS: Concomitant PN disease should be considered for patients with failed back surgery syndrome manifesting as persistent or recurrent LBP.