There are many different causes for failed back surgery. The responsible pathology can be easily diagnosed with the help of a comprehensive physical examination. Doctors will also suggest appropriate diagnostic imaging techniques. The idea is to diagnose the underlying cause of the patient's pain. The definitive diagnosis for recurrent disc herniation or other conditions may also be conducted.
In several cases, MRI scans may reveal the scar tissue presence. It is an indication for some of the clinicians and researchers that scar tissue may be the source of continued back pain and/or leg pain post lower back surgery. However,whilst almost all postoperative MRI scans display scar tissue, postoperative pain for most patients presumably has very little to do with the scar tissue.
Failed Back Surgery Pain – Causes
One of the major problem may be inappropriate preoperative patient selection prior to back surgery. This is also deemed as the most common cause for failed back surgery syndrome. Surgeons usually look for an anatomic lesion in the spine. The pain pattern is correlated this lesion. There are many other sources of pain that can mime back pathology, including the following mentioned below:
• Piriformis syndrome
• Hip pathology
• Sacroiliac joint dysfunction
Post Surgery Pain
One of the common causes of pain post back surgery (microdiscectomy/discectomy spine surgery) recurrent disc herniation spine surgery. This is another common cause of recurrent pain after a back surgery.
The patient may initially experience substantial pain relief which is followed by a sudden recurrence of pain in leg. Symptoms for recurrent disc herniation occur acutely. This is different from that of symptomatic pain caused due to an epidural fibrosis (scar tissue). Apart from the traditional clinical history and presentation, doctors will also benefit from an MRI scan for distinguishing the two major pathologies.
Technical Error
Failed back surgery and pain related to it can be due to spine surgery. Hence, it is important that the spine surgeon considers technical error for any continued pain experienced by patient post laminectomy, discectomy or microdiscectomy. For instance, it can be due to a herniated disc material fragment missed. Sometimes a piece of bone may be left adjacent to the nerve. In such cases, nerve root compression may result in causing pain.
If correct operative levels are not chosen during surgical planning, an adjacent disc can become a serious source of the pain. Discussing with doctor for failed back surgery and an appropriate treatment.
In several cases, MRI scans may reveal the scar tissue presence. It is an indication for some of the clinicians and researchers that scar tissue may be the source of continued back pain and/or leg pain post lower back surgery. However,whilst almost all postoperative MRI scans display scar tissue, postoperative pain for most patients presumably has very little to do with the scar tissue.
Failed Back Surgery Pain – Causes
One of the major problem may be inappropriate preoperative patient selection prior to back surgery. This is also deemed as the most common cause for failed back surgery syndrome. Surgeons usually look for an anatomic lesion in the spine. The pain pattern is correlated this lesion. There are many other sources of pain that can mime back pathology, including the following mentioned below:
• Piriformis syndrome
• Hip pathology
• Sacroiliac joint dysfunction
Post Surgery Pain
One of the common causes of pain post back surgery (microdiscectomy/discectomy spine surgery) recurrent disc herniation spine surgery. This is another common cause of recurrent pain after a back surgery.
The patient may initially experience substantial pain relief which is followed by a sudden recurrence of pain in leg. Symptoms for recurrent disc herniation occur acutely. This is different from that of symptomatic pain caused due to an epidural fibrosis (scar tissue). Apart from the traditional clinical history and presentation, doctors will also benefit from an MRI scan for distinguishing the two major pathologies.
Technical Error
Failed back surgery and pain related to it can be due to spine surgery. Hence, it is important that the spine surgeon considers technical error for any continued pain experienced by patient post laminectomy, discectomy or microdiscectomy. For instance, it can be due to a herniated disc material fragment missed. Sometimes a piece of bone may be left adjacent to the nerve. In such cases, nerve root compression may result in causing pain.
If correct operative levels are not chosen during surgical planning, an adjacent disc can become a serious source of the pain. Discussing with doctor for failed back surgery and an appropriate treatment.