can re herniated heal itself?
 

had a discectomy 11 years ago and i am absolutely sure i have re herniated it. what i would like to know is can this rectify itself or will it completely go soon and need another op?

my back has gone 3 times in the space of 2 something months, this is not normal and desperately trying to get the doc to send me for an mri but not having much luck at the moment.

many thanks.
forgot to add, the disc above has slightly gone 2 years ago and is a bit black, but i know its not this disc. just my gut feeling!

No, it can't. A piece may have dislodged. It depends on where it dislodges as to whether it's an issue or not. There are people walking around with ruptured discs and are oblivious because the rupture did not hit any nerves.

A Discectomy is a removal of the part of the disc causing the inflammation. Disc material is still left in there. I never liked this method and everyone I know has had problems years on. The disc is composed of a hard center ball which ruptures, and pushes on on the concentric rings of cartilage, causing the herniation. You still have the remnants of that disc in there. You need an MRI to see what's going on. Go to a Neurologist, an MRI should be ordered when requested. I find that abhorrent when the doctor gives you a "No" on imaging. Contact your insurance carrier, they may be the ones not covering it, or may recommend a doctor who will order it. Be pro-active in your care. This is coming from a 60 year old fart who had to fight the system since he was 20 years old. I have moved mountains. I'd move on to a specialist, and if this is your G.P., get a new one, and find a Neurologist :) IMHO

Addendum. The disc cartilage causing the pain can lose water mass and shrink to the pint that it becomes tolerable. I have not met anyone that this has happened too, but my Neurologist showed me some MRI's with the names rubbed out, that show that phenomena. I think it's a long shot though, and it was a small piece in a bad spot. :)