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Pain After Back Surgery

Ioannis M Skaribas, MD, DABA, FASA -  - Anesthesiology

Expert Pain

Ioannis M Skaribas, MD, DABA, FASA

Anesthesiology & Pain Management located in Memorial Area, Houston, TX

Finding that you're still in pain after going through spinal surgery to resolve a back problem can be devastating. If you're suffering from pain after back surgery, double board-certified pain specialist Ioannis Skaribas, MD, DABA, FASA, of Expert Pain in Houston, Texas, can help. Dr. Skaribas offers cutting-edge interventions that relieve post-surgical back pain even when nothing else is working. To benefit from the most effective solutions to pain after back surgery, call Expert Pain today or book an appointment online.

Pain After Back Surgery Q & A

Why would I have pain after back surgery?

Pain after back surgery isn't uncommon, occurring when a procedure meant to relieve your back pain doesn't have the intended result. It even has its own name — failed back surgery syndrome, or sometimes post-laminectomy syndrome.

Your spine is an amazingly complex structure consisting of a column of interlinked bones (vertebrae) and spongy discs, all held together by ligaments and muscles. Inside the vertebrae is your spinal canal, which houses the spinal cord — the nerve hub that, along with your brain, comprises your central nervous system (CNS).

Back and neck pain are common issues, with some people suffering significant disability because of conditions like spinal stenosis, herniated discs, and arthritis. Spine surgery aims to resolve the causes of these conditions and take away your pain. 

For some patients, however, the pain doesn't go away and could even be worse post-surgery.

Why might I experience pain after back surgery?

You would expect to feel some pain after back surgery as a consequence of the operation, but you would also expect the pain to ease off and disappear in a reasonable time.  

If it doesn't, it could be because the surgery simply didn't fix the problem and there's another cause for your back pain, or there's been some damage to the spinal nerves during your operation.

Spine surgery is challenging even for highly skilled and experienced surgeons. While many people benefit a great deal, a significant number are left with ongoing pain after back surgery.

What can I do if I have pain after back surgery?

If your back pain persists beyond the healing time expected for your surgery, visit Expert Pain for an assessment. Their specialists can identify why you're experiencing pain after back surgery and offer a range of advanced interventions to address the problem.

Depending on why you're suffering from pain after back surgery, treatment options might include:

  • Epidural steroid injections
  • Facet joint injections
  • Nerve blocks
  • Radiofrequency ablation
  • Behavioral health assessments and therapy
  • LinQ™ sacroiliac joint fusion
  • Vertiflex® interspinous spacer implantation
  • Spinal cord stimulation

Spinal cord stimulation can be particularly useful in treating pain after back surgery if there's no way to resolve the cause of your pain. It uses neurostimulation — pulses of electrical energy — to alter the pain signals in your back so your brain doesn't register them.

If you've undergone back surgery and you're still in pain, consult Expert Pain for timely assistance. Call their office or book an appointment online today.