Failed Back Surgery Specialist

What is a failed back surgery?

Failed back surgery is an umbrella term that describes an unsuccessful back or spine procedure. 

Chronic pain can develop when your back surgery doesn’t work as intended. Pain from failed back surgery can stem from the procedure itself. However, the most common reason these treatments fail is that the source of pain was initially misdiagnosed.

What causes a failed back surgery?

The most common reason people undergo back or spine surgery is to stabilize a damaged joint or relieve a compressed nerve. While most types of surgery successfully relieve back pain, not all procedures offer predictable results.

For example, a discectomy to treat a lumbar (lower back) disc herniation is less likely to succeed when you primarily experience pain in the lower back rather than in the leg. Many patients experience lasting relief from leg pain after surgery, but the outcome for treating lower back pain is less certain.

Other common causes of failed back surgery include:

Scar tissue

Scar tissue after surgery can lead to chronic pain if it forms around nerve root endings. When scar tissue builds around a nerve and causes pain, it can lead to epidural fibrosis.

Post-surgery rehabilitation

Sometimes, the surgery itself isn’t the source of pain. Post-operative rehabilitation can lead to new pain. 

Lumbar decompression surgery

Lumbar decompression surgery for a herniated disc or spinal stenosis may not be enough to relieve nerve pain effectively.

How is a failed back surgery diagnosed?

Diagnosing a failed back surgery is a complex process that requires a complete physical exam and medical history review. Your pain specialist at Metro Anesthesia & Pain Management may also order bloodwork and imaging tests, including X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans.

What are the treatments for a failed back surgery?

The pain specialists at Metro Anesthesia & Pain Management take a multimodal approach to back pain treatment. A combination approach gives your doctor the tools to relieve pain and restore function to your damaged spine. 

Common treatments your doctor may recommend include:

• Facet joint injections
• Ketamine IV therapy
• Physical therapy and rehabilitation
• Spinal cord stimulation
• Stem cell therapy

To learn more about failed back surgery, call Metro Anesthesia & Pain Management or schedule an appointment online today.