Thoracic Spine Revision Surgery

What Is Thoracic Spine Revision Surgery?

Spine revision surgery is any additional spine procedure done for a patient who has already received at least one back surgery. Its aim is to fix issues with the previous surgery, such as scar tissue or loose implants. It may also treat sections of the spine that were not addressed by the first surgery. These corrections help the patient find long-term relief. Thoracic spine revision refers to such procedures involving the mid-back region of the spine.

The spine is an extraordinarily complex structure. It involves several different kinds of tissue, including vertebral bone, spinal discs, cartilage, tendons, and ligaments. All of this surrounds the spinal cord, one of the most vital and sensitive structures in the body. This complexity makes the spine difficult to operate on. While most spine surgeries are well-established and proven to provide positive results, it is not uncommon for patients to experience pain even after treatment.

Correcting the Results of Failed Back Surgery

Thoracic spine revision surgery is performed to correct thoracic failed back syndrome. This term refers to pain that lingers or returns after a back surgery. There are many reasons why surgery may not provide the results that patients expect. These include:

• The original surgeon misdiagnosed the source of pain
• The patient had multiple co-occurring conditions
• The surgery caused damage to a spinal root nerve
• The operation site was affected by infection
• The patient smoked tobacco, which interferes with healing
• Excessive scar tissue formed around the operation site
• A thoracic spinal fusion did not fuse correctly
• The patient’s body rejected a bone graft from a donor
• Surgical implants have begun to loosen or break down
• A degenerative disease continued to progress
• A new back condition has developed near the same site

Patients may hesitate to pursue additional surgery after their first treatment fails. They may feel discouraged about a second operation and recovery, or they may have lost trust in the doctor’s ability to help with their pain. While these emotions are normal, patients should not avoid the treatment they need. Thoracic spine revision surgery can eliminate pain from failed back syndrome, helping patients get back to their active lifestyles.

Who Performs Thoracic Spinal Revision Surgery at NU-Spine?

Spinal revision surgery is a complex procedure that must be customized to the patient. Not every spine surgeon is equipped to handle this type of operation. It is important, both for the success of the procedure and the patient’s peace of mind, to work with a neurosurgeon who has experience with complex surgeries like spinal revisions.

Surgeries at NU-Spine are performed by award-winning neurosurgeon Branko Skovrlj, MD. He is one of the few board-certified neurosurgeons in New Jersey to focus only on spine procedures. He specializes in advanced surgeries, including both minimally invasive spine surgery and complex procedures like spinal revision. He regularly contributes to research to improve these treatments. Patients who receive treatment from Dr. Skovrlj know that their care is in good hands.

How Is Thoracic Spinal Revision Surgery Done?

Because spine surgery can go wrong for a variety of reasons, there is no standard procedure for fixing it. Instead, spinal revision surgery is customized to the patient’s unique condition. Dr. Skovrlj performs a careful assessment using state-of-the-art imaging equipment to accurately pinpoint the problem.

Once Dr. Skovrlj has reached a diagnosis, he presents a variety of treatment options to the patient. He makes sure the patient understands what will be done to their spine, how long it will take, and what to expect from recovery. Most spinal revision surgeries are multi-hour procedures that require anesthesia. Dr. Skovrlj relies on minimally invasive techniques whenever possible to minimize the time patients must spend recovering.

Recovery After Thoracic Spinal Revision Surgery

Recovery from spinal revision surgery can vary depending on what was done. Some patients can go home the same day as their treatment. Others may need to stay at the hospital for one or more days. Once the patient is approved to leave the hospital, Dr. Skovrlj provides instructions to heal at home. His guidance may include:

• Keeping the incision site clean with surgical dressings
• Limiting strenuous activities, like house chores and heavy lifting
• Walking around daily to encourage blood flow
• Taking medications to manage post-surgical pain and prevent infection
• Monitoring surgical sites for swelling, redness, and other signs of infection
• Participating in physical therapy to rebuild strength and flexibility
• Scheduling follow-up appointments with Dr. Skovrlj

Patients should not hesitate to ask questions and ensure they understand all of Dr. Skovrlj’s instructions. Following his guidance is key to a successful recovery without new complications.

The expected recovery time depends on the patient’s age, their overall health, and the specifics of their procedure. Some patients may be able to resume normal activities after a few weeks, while others take a few months to heal. Spinal fusions can take over a year to fully stabilize. Dr. Skovrlj guides patients through recovery to facilitate a smooth return to normal life.

Benefits of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

Dr. Skovrlj at NU-Spine believes in minimally invasive spine surgery techniques. These procedures use tiny cameras and other specialized equipment to work through smaller incisions. By reducing the amount of surgical cutting and stress, they provide the following benefits:

• Shorter hospital stays
• Quicker recovery times
• Less post-surgical bleeding
• Less risk of infection or complications
• Higher surgical success rates
• Faster results

Minimally invasive methods can give patients peace of mind about their revision treatment, alleviating concerns about lengthy recoveries or a second surgical failure. Patients should speak with Dr. Skovrlj to find out whether they might be a candidate for minimally invasive spinal revision surgery.

Find Back Pain Relief Near You in New Jersey

It can be discouraging to go through a failed spine surgery. Fortunately, patients can find long-term relief at NU-Spine: The Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Institute. Our award-winning neurosurgeon specializes in performing advanced procedures like thoracic spinal revision surgery to correct the results of failed treatments. Contact us to learn more or to schedule an appointment at one of our locations near you in New Jersey.

Frequently Asked Questions About Thoracic Spinal Revision Surgery

What is thoracic spinal revision surgery?

Thoracic spinal revision surgery is any surgery to correct a failed prior procedure on the thoracic spine, or upper back.

When is thoracic spinal revision surgery recommended?

Thoracic spinal revision surgery is recommended for patients who have received a previous thoracic surgery but continue to feel pain.

Why can spine surgeries go wrong?

There are many reasons for a spine surgery to go wrong, and even well-performed surgeries can fail to fully address a patient’s pain. Common reasons for failure include a misdiagnosed spine condition, surgical damage to a nerve root, scar tissue, infection, implant or graft failure, and progressive diseases.