Pain After Back Or Lumbar Surgery

What is pain after back or lumbar surgery?

Pain after back or lumbar surgery, also called failed back surgery syndrome or post-laminectomy syndrome, can prove to be debilitating. If you experience back pain after surgery, the SamWell Institute for Pain Management team offers several minimally invasive solutions to relieve your discomfort.

What pain might I feel after back or lumbar surgery?

If you experience pain after failed back surgery, you might notice the following signs or symptoms:

• Dull, aching pain
• Sharp or stabbing pain
• Pain with movement
• Stiffness
• Decreased range of motion
• Burning, numbness, tingling, or shooting pain
• Muscle aches
• Radiating pain down your leg

If post-surgical pain is severe or long-lasting, see the SamWell Institute for Pain Management team for relief.

What causes failed back surgery pain?

Anybody can develop pain after back surgery, as not all back surgeries effectively reduce discomfort in every patient. You might experience pain after back or lumbar surgery because of a new injury, ineffective healing after surgery, or undergoing the wrong type of surgery for your condition. The spinal segments above and below your level of surgery can also become involved, as they are working harder to allow you to move and function. Additionally, persistent nerve pain after back surgery can be common and may require targeted treatment. 

How does my provider diagnose pain after back surgery?

To find out which pain management options are right for you, Dr. Shah and his staff review your medical history and your symptoms. They complete a physical examination and might recommend blood tests, nerve studies, X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, or other imaging procedures.

What are my low back pain management treatment options?

Treatment options for pain after back or lumbar surgery include epidural injections, nerve blocks or radiofrequency ablation.  More advanced procedures that provide long-term relief of this pain include:

Spinal cord stimulation (SCS)

During spinal cord stimulation, which uses doses of electrical stimulation to block pain signals and relieve pain, Dr. Shah places a spinal cord stimulator leads and electrodes within the epidural space behind your spinal cord during a minimally invasive procedure. Dr. Shah performs an external trial of the procedure first for 7 days, to accurately assess your candidacy for a long-term implant of the pain relieving device. 

He uses anesthesia so you don’t feel pain as the stimulator is implanted, a procedure that might take about 60-90 minutes in a same day outpatient setting.

The procedure is performed under direct live fluoroscopic or X-ray image guidance for accuracy, precision, and safety. 

Dorsal root ganglion (DRG) stimulation

DRG stimulation is similar to spinal cord stimulation but sends acurate doses of electrical stimulation along your ganglion nerve bundle to block painful nerve sensations. Dr. Shah performs an external trial of the procedure first for 7 days, to accurately assess your candidacy for a long-term implant of the pain relieving device. 

The procedure involves implanting the device and the lead, as with SCS and is performed under direct live fluoroscopic or X-ray image guidance for accuracy, precision, and safety. 

The SamWell Institute for Pain Management team personalizes each back pain treatment to give you the best outcome.

Don’t live with pain after back or lumbar surgery when you don’t have to. Book a consultation with the highly trained experts at SamWell Institute for Pain Management by phone or online today.