If you have received surgery for a back injury or condition, you probably expected relief that lasted. It may be discouraging to experience a resurgence of pain or persistent side effects. Luckily, failed back syndrome can be treated with options ranging from physical therapy to a corrective surgical procedure. NU-Spine: The Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Institute, treats spine conditions, including failed back syndrome, from locations throughout New Jersey. Here, we discuss the treatment options available for failed back syndrome.
Why Didn’t My Back Surgery Work?
In most cases, patients who receive spine surgery recover without issue. In some cases, however, the surgery may fail to address their pain. The original pain returns or new symptoms arise due to unforeseen complications. There are many reasons why this may occur:
- You were misdiagnosed, and the procedure was inappropriate for your condition.
- Your condition had an underlying cause that was not adequately addressed.
- You developed a post-operative infection.
- Scar tissue built up during your recovery.
- Your body will not accept a bone graft or implant.
- You smoked during your recovery period, interfering with your ability to heal.
- An additional, unrelated condition has emerged or become evident.
Because of the wide scope of causes for failure, it is difficult to estimate how frequently failed back syndrome occurs. A National Library of Medicine report on failed back syndrome says studies show anywhere from 10 to 40% of back surgeries fail to provide lasting pain relief, with some types of surgery failing more often than others.
How to Identify Failed Back Syndrome
Because failed back syndrome is a category rather than a specific condition, its symptoms can be varied. Your experience will depend on why your surgery failed, and whether any additional conditions are contributing to your pain. Some patients report a dull ache, while others report a shooting pain that moves to their extremities. The pain may be similar to what you experienced before your surgery, or it might not.
Regardless of the specifics, failed back syndrome can be debilitating. The pain affects you from day to day, making it difficult to enjoy your favorite activities. You may feel discouraged or depressed when you cannot live the pain-free life you hoped for.
If your pain persists after surgery and you think you may have failed back syndrome, it’s important to reach out to a spine specialist as soon as possible. The various potential causes and symptoms can make failed back syndrome difficult to identify correctly without the medical training and expertise of a spine specialist. Getting a correct diagnosis is your first step toward recovery. The sooner you contact a doctor, the sooner you can experience the relief you wanted from the start.
Treatment Options for Failed Back Syndrome
Luckily for patients with failed back syndrome, plenty of treatment options exist. Some cases can be effectively addressed with non-surgical techniques. This might include physical therapy, pain medication, or steroid injections to combat inflammation.
If your case does not improve with conservative treatments, surgery may be necessary. As with most fields in medicine, spine surgery is constantly advancing. New treatments are constantly being developed and improved upon, including corrections for failed past procedures. There are several kinds of procedures available depending on the cause of your pain:
- Spinal cord stimulator: This is a type of implant that sends electrical impulses into the spinal cord. The impulses interfere with pain signals to reduce your discomfort.
- Revision spine surgery: Revision surgery is used to correct previous surgeries or replace implants that have broken down over time.
- Corpectomy: If your post-surgical pain is due to a damaged disc or vertebrae, a corpectomy can remove the damaged structures.
- Lumbar decompression: Some cases of failed back syndrome are due to nerve damage. Lumbar decompression relieves pressure to reduce pain.
- Extreme lateral interbody fusion (X-LIF): This technique approaches from the side of the body and can safely correct failed spinal fusions.
These procedures can repair the damage caused by a faulty implant or post-surgical infection, helping you get back to an active, pain-free life.
Choosing Your Spine Surgeon
It may sound discouraging to get a second surgery after the first failed. Selecting a trustworthy and reliable spine surgeon can alleviate some of this anxiety.
At NU-Spine, corrective surgeries are performed by Branko Skovrlj, MD. He is a world-renowned, board-certified neurosurgeon, and one of only a few neurosurgeons in New Jersey who focuses solely on the spine. His specialty is complex spine surgery and spinal reconstruction. Using minimally invasive spine surgery techniques, he can correct a failed surgery while causing less stress to your body. These surgeries are safer, lower-risk, and offer a better chance of recovery without complications.
Dr. Skovrlj also understands the importance of a friendly environment when discussing difficult topics, such as failed surgeries. This is why he makes the effort to get to know his patients personally, establishing a rapport so you feel comfortable sharing your pain.
Treat Your Back Pain at NU-Spine
If you experience persistent pain due to failed back syndrome, don’t wait to transform your life with a touch of care. Experience the cutting edge in minimally invasive spine treatments. Don’t wait for relief; schedule your appointment with the spine experts at NU-Spine: The Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Institute today and take the first step toward a pain-free future. Our services are available across New Jersey. Contact us today to learn more or schedule an appointment at one of our New Jersey locations in Paramus, Woodbridge, Toms River, Jersey City, Holmdel, Freehold, or Hainesport.
