Causes of failure of surgery on the lumbar spine: ten-year follow-up.

A decade has passed since the primary factors in failures of surgery on the lumbar spine were identified, and the entity is still an expensive, disabling reality for too many patients. The incidence of failure has significantly decreased due to better practices as well as advances in the technology of surgical diagnostic studies and better means of conservative care. The author would like to join his colleagues in acknowledging the many contributions of Dr. Leonard Malis throughout his career toward improving the quality of patient care and helping avoid failure of back surgery in all patients.