Incidence and clinical impact of vertebral endplate changes after limited lumbar microdiscectomy and implantation of a bone-anchored annular closure device.

Clinical improvement after LMD and ACD implantation was proven in our study. High incidence and volume of EPC did not correlate with clinical outcome. The ACD might prevent disc reherniation despite implant failure rates. Mechanical friction of the polymer mesh with the endplate is most likely the cause of EPC after ACD.