Lumbar discectomy is an effective treatment for lumbar disc herniation (LDH). 
Although the majority of patients experience successful outcomes, a significant 
fraction will experience a recurrence of their back pain due to facet joint 
degeneration. Facet joint degeneration after discectomy may be the result of 
excessive nuclear removal, disc space narrowing, and annular injury. This study 
investigated whether implantation with the Barricaid annular closure device 
(ACD) during discectomy reduced the rate of facet degeneration. Inclusion 
criteria were primary lumbar disc herniation failing conservative treatment, 
Visual Analog Scale (VAS) Leg≥40/100, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI)≥40/100 and 
defects that were ≤60 mm2 (Barricaid arm only), and patient age 18-75. CT 
interpretations were collected preoperatively and 12 months post-discectomy. 
Patients implanted with Barricaid had significantly reduced rates and grades of 
facet degeneration than patients without Barricaid. Reinforcing the annulus 
fibrosus with Barricaid during lumbar discectomy may slow the progression of 
facet joint degeneration.