Persistent pain after back surgery is known as “Failed Back Surgery Syndrome” and is characterized by continued pain after surgery.
Reasons
There are several causes of failed back surgery syndrome:
- Implant failure: Failure of implants such as screws
- Inadequate hernia removal: Failure to completely remove the hernia during surgery
- Nerve damage: Nerve damage that does not heal during surgery
- Epidural fibrosis: Scar tissue formation around the nerve root
Symptoms
This syndrome manifests itself as a recurrence of previous pain immediately after surgery or within a few weeks. The pain may be the same intensity as before surgery, or it may be milder or more severe. In addition, some patients may develop new complaints such as numbness and loss of strength that were not present before surgery.
Diagnosis
During the diagnosis process, appropriate methods such as physical examination, contrast MRI, tomography and EMG are preferred.
Treatment
Among the treatment options, painkillers are tried first. However, in some cases, the patient may need to undergo surgery again. In patients who have pain due to scar tissue formed after surgery, special epidural injections to melt this tissue and radiofrequency applications targeting the affected nerve root can provide successful results. In patients with only low back pain, facet median nerve radiofrequency application can be performed. In patients whose pain continues despite many treatments, spinal cord stimulation (a battery inserted into the spinal cord) should be tried as a last resort.
Note: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. If you have any concerns about any health issue or treatment options, it is important to consult a healthcare professional.
