Failed back surgery syndrome defines a prolonged pain or discomfort after a failed back surgery. A patient may experience this pain for a variety of different reasons, and they all require a good amount of postoperative evaluation to determine the cause.
It is important that the back surgeon identifies the problem as soon as possible. If left untreated, failed back surgery syndrome can lead to permanent damage and chronic pain. Our patients’ comfort and satisfaction are our number one priorities at Yashar Neurosurgery, where we use state-of-the-art equipment and techniques to ensure that our minimally invasive spine surgery in Los Angeles is performed thoroughly and safely.
The three main causes of failed back surgery syndrome are highlighted in detail below. An MRI and physical examination can help our expert staff members identify the underlying cause of back pain after surgery.
1. Technical Error
Technical error is always a possibility when assessing the reasons for a failed back surgery. Continued pain after a variety of back procedures, including microdisectomies, disectomies, or laminectomies, is a rare occurrence, and something that should be given a serious examination.
When operating on a herniated disc, some of the material may have gotten left behind, and this bone shard can be causing root pain and damage. Likewise, an adjacent disc may be the reason for prolonged pain in the patient. Either way, it is important that the proper amount of imaging and clinical examination is put forth to identify the source of the problem.
2. Improper Preoperative Patient Selection
Improper preoperative patient selection before surgery is the most common reason for failed back surgery syndrome. While our staff at Yashar Neurosurgery goes through a careful and thorough patient candidate selection, it is possible that the patient’s reaction to the surgery be unprecedented.
In order to find a correct candidate, our doctors will typically look for a lesion in the spine that can be linked to the cause of the patient’s pain. But sometimes, this method is more or less reliable. This is because there may be other sources of pain mimicking back pathology. Sacroiliac joint dysfunction and osteoarthritis can often contribute to the inaccurate identification of isolated back pain.
3. Recurrent Disc Herniation
If a patient experiences recurrent pain after back surgery, recurrent disc herniation may very well be the cause of such pain. This is another common cause for failed back surgery syndrome.
This kind of pain is typically acute and very harmful to the patient. This can be caused by scar tissue or leg issues. It is easy to identify recurrent disc herniation as the underlying cause for a failed back surgery if the patient experiences major pain relief at first, followed only by a recurrence in disc herniation pain.
Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery in Los Angeles
At Yashar Neurosurgery, Doctor Parham Yashar offers his skills and expertise in all areas of spine surgery. If you are concerned about your recurring pain after back surgery, and you fear you may be suffering from failed back surgery syndrome, our professional staff members can help you immediately.
The best way to avoid experiencing pain after back surgery is to ensure that both you and your doctor understand the source of the lesion and whether not it originates on the back itself. For a personalized and confidential consultation regarding your minimally invasive spine surgery in Los Angeles, you can contact us online to get started. You can also give us a call at (424) 361-0923 to speak with a representative right away. Don’t let your pain persist!
