Examination of Nociscan Impact on Low Back Pain Surgical Outcomes

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Subject is a skeletally mature male or female (non-pregnant) aged 18 to 70 years (inclusive);
2. Subject intends to undergo instrumented surgical treatment in the lumbar spinal disc for their lower back pain, independent of this research protocol;
3. Subject is to be treated with FDA-cleared or FDA-approved devices independent of this research protocol;
4. Subject has a preoperative Oswestry Disability Questionnaire score ≥35 out of 100 points (35/100);
5. Subject has a VAS back pain score of ≥40mm;
6. Subject has failed at least ≥ 6 months of non-operative treatment (for example: physical therapy, bed rest, anti-inflammatory or analgesic medications, chiropractic care, acupuncture, massage therapy or home-directed lumbar exercise programs) OR requires urgent surgical treatment per the investigator;
7. Subject has signed the IRB approved Informed Consent Form; and
8. Subject is psychosocially, mentally and physically able and willing to fully comply with this protocol including adhering to follow-up schedule and requirements and filling out forms.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Subject has had prior lumbar back surgery or intradiscal treatments at any lumbar level (Note: diagnostic provocative or anesthetic discography are not excluded; micro-discectomy, decompression, or laminectomy patients greater than 6 months postop are not excluded);
2. Subject has a lumbar spine diagnosis, based on radiographic evidence, of clinically relevant lumbar vertebral abnormalities (except Modic end-plate changes, which are not excluded), including:

   * Grade 3 Spondylolisthesis (Grade 1 or Grade 2 is allowed)
   * Pars fracture, at the involved level
   * Spondylolysis
   * Lumbar scoliosis with a Cobb angle of greater than 20°
   * Evidence of prior fracture or trauma to the L1, L2, L3, L4, or L5 levels in either compression or burst
   * Lumbar kyphosis
3. Subject is contraindicated for a standard lumbar MRI exam
4. Women who are currently pregnant (or believe they may be at risk of being or becoming pregnant), or are breast feeding, during the study period when scans will be performed
5. Subject has a chronic disease (other than degenerative disc disease), chronic pain (other than low back pain), or psychological dysfunction, which may, in the opinion of the Principal Investigator, compromise a subject's ability to comply with study procedures, and/or may confound data