Clinical Outcomes of Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease in Active-Duty U.S. Service Personnel

Inclusion Criteria

• •1. Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) in one vertebral level between L3 and S1, where a diagnosis of DDD requires:
• •1. Back and/or leg (radicular) pain; and
• •2. Radiographic confirmation of any one of the following by CT, MRI, discography, plain film, myelography, and/or flexion/extension films:
• •i. Decreased disc height \> 2 mm; ii. Scarring/thickening of annulus fibrosis; iii. Herniated nucleus pulposus; or iv. Vacuum phenomenon.
• •2. Skeletally mature adult between the ages of 18 and 50 years at time of surgery.
• •3. Failed at least 6 months of conservative therapy.
• •4. Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire score ≥ 20/50 (40%) (Interpreted as moderate/severe disability).
• •5. Psychosocially, mentally and physically able to fully comply with this protocol including adhering to scheduled visits, treatment plan, completing forms, and other study procedures.
• •6. Plans to remain on active duty for a minimum of two (2) years.
• •7. Personally signed and dated the informed consent document prior to any study-related procures indicating that the subject has been informed of all pertinent aspects of the study.