Failed Back Surgery

Is failed back surgery fixable?

Failed back surgery is a complex consequence of back or spine surgery that can be difficult to diagnose and treat. The success rate of back surgery varies; unfortunately, there are cases where it may not achieve the desired outcome. 

If you experience ongoing pain after back surgery, there is hope. There are many options available at Integrated Pain Consultants to manage the symptoms of failed back surgery, improve your quality of life and even fix the underlying problem. 

What is the most obvious sign of failed back surgery?

Worsening pain is the most obvious sign of failed back surgery. While pain is expected after any type of back or spine surgery, it should gradually subside. Unfortunately, that is not always the case if your surgery fails to deliver the intended relief. Aside from pain, failed back surgery can lead to:

• Numbness or tingling in the legs or feet
• Limited mobility
• Muscle spasms
• Slow recovery after surgery
• Anxiety or depression

Failed back surgery can also increase your reliance on pain medications to manage frequent discomfort. The sooner you seek treatment for the pain, the more likely you will find relief and prevent further complications.

What are the three most common reasons failed back surgery occurs?

Failed back surgery typically falls into three categories:

Recurrent disc herniation

Recurrent disc herniation is one of the most common causes of pain after spine surgery. While anybody can develop a herniated disc after a discectomy, individuals who smoke cigarettes, have diabetes or struggle with obesity are at a heightened risk.

Improper patient selection

Improper patient selection means you were either never a candidate for surgery in the first place or the original surgeon improperly diagnosed your source of pain. This is the most common reason people develop failed back surgery.

Surgery error

Errors during surgery, such as loose bone fragments or nerve compression, can also lead to failed back surgery.

After a comprehensive evaluation that includes a medical history review, physical exam, and imaging scans, your pain management specialist at Integrated Pain Consultants can better understand the cause of your pain.

What are the next steps after failed back surgery?

Integrated Pain Consultants offers many minimally invasive treatments and cutting-edge procedures to relieve pain from failed back surgery, including:

• Joint injections
• Epidural injections
• Nerve blocks
• Vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty
• Disc denervation
• Medication management
• Spinal cord stimulation
• Chiropractic care
• Radiofrequency ablation

Your individualized treatment plan may include multiple pain management tools to improve your comfort, mobility, and quality of life.

Call Integrated Pain Consultants today or schedule an appointment online to learn more.