How To Treat Post-Laminectomy Syndrome

More than 500,000 spinal surgeries are completed in the United States annually. Unfortunately, not all of them are a success. Our Pain Management Orlando (Dr. Phillips) doctor Rajan Kalia knows how difficult treating the problems associated with failed surgery can be.

Back surgery is performed to reduce or completely eliminate chronic pain in the back or legs that is caused by nerve compression in the spine. If the surgery does not achieve the desired outcomes, it is called post-laminectomy syndrome, or failed back surgery. Innovative Pain Solutions can help you resolve the pain associated with the symptoms of post-laminectomy syndrome

When the condition is accurately diagnosed, post-surgical pain can be effectively controlled. Unfortunately, there is the rare case that causes a patient to suffer from pain after surgery, either in their back or legs after their surgery is completed. Pain management experts have become highly skilled in locating the source of the pain, and providing non-surgical treatment that relieves the pain, and locating its exact cause.

More than 20% of Americans have spin surgery annually, but still suffer from some degree of pain in their legs and back. Spine surgery is not always able to achieve the desired results, and the fault is not always the fault of the physician. The condition is a well-documented syndrome, known as Post-Laminectomy Syndrome.

Why Post-Laminectomy Syndrome Develops

There are a number of factors that can cause the development of Post-Laminectomy Syndrome. In a lot of cases, the spinal nerve is decompressed during surgery. Unfortunately, not all cases allow the spinal nerve to recover completely and the trauma it suffered in the past. The trauma can continue to cause symptoms of sciatica and chronic nerve pain.

Other problems contributing to the condition are caused by scar formation that surrounds the nerve root, ending in chronic pain. The surgery can also cause structural changes or anomalies, either above or below the locations where the spine was fused. Patients are also at risk for developing a recurrent disc herniation, or even a new disc herniation, spinal instability, ligament instability, and other conditions.

Symptoms of Post-Laminectomy Syndrome Disorder

Pain similar to what was experienced before surgery.
A dull, acing pain in the spinal column.
Neuropathic pain that can be described as stabbing or pricking.
Pain in the legs, either constant or radiating.

Diagnosis Process for Post-Laminectomy Syndrome

Diagnosing post-laminectomy syndrome is a process that begins with a highly-experienced pain management physician. Our Pain Management Orlando staff knows the most effective ways to diagnose the pain associated with this syndrome. The type of pain that is experienced are able to mimic the symptoms of many other conditions. A pain management doctor will be able to determine the source the pain, which is extremely critical to the success in treatment.

Possible Treatments for Post-Laminectomy Syndrome

An extremely thorough clinical evaluation.
A complete medical history, in-depth analysis of symptoms, and complete physical examination.
Physical examination may include testing. Testing may involve x-rays, CT scans, EMG, and possibly an MRI. These techniques help pinpoint any problem that may be causing pain.

There are many possible treatments for a post-laminectomy syndrome includes multiple options. Innovative Pain Solutions provides the most popular and effective pain management options, which are listed below.

Epidural Nerve Block

An epidural nerve block is a procedure where corticosteroid injections are utilized to decrease, or block pain and swelling associated with herniated discs, sciatic nerve damage, and spinal stenosis. While they may not relieve all of the pain, they substantially reduce the pain experienced.

Facet Joint Injections

Someone is suffering through chronic pain caused by facet syndrome or spinal arthritis, facet joint injection is both a diagnostic and therapeutic approach. It is an extremely helpful tool in confirming facet syndrome as a sense of pain.

Radiofrequency neurotomy can be recommended for long-term relief that may not be achieved through other measures.

By following an injection regimen allows a substantial and sustained relief of pain.

Spinal Cord Stimulation

Spinal cord stimulation is a new technology that allows you to address pain symptoms that are difficult to address through medication alone. Spinal cord stimulation is typically caused by neuropathic pain following laminectomy syndrome. This problem is typically caused by post-lamiectomy syndrome and also by complex regional pain syndrome.

Radiofrequency

For many months, possibly years, radiofrequency can bring relief to someone suffering from long-term pain. It is used alongside medial branch blocks or facet joint injections. Radiofrequency neurotomy can only be used after the facet joints are determined to be the cause of the pain.