Pain may persist after surgery has been performed and all the tissues have healed. In a small percentage of individuals, persistent pain symptoms can occur following any surgical procedures done on the body. Risk factors for post surgical pain include the type of surgery, pre-existing pain, re-operation, and other comorbid factors. The cause appears to be related to principal nerve injury and wound inflammation which can lead to abnormal pain signals in both the area of injury and the spinal cord (peripheral and central sensitization).

What is Post-Laminectomy Syndrome?

In most cases the spinal surgery will reduce or eliminate back pain secondary to nerve root compression. A condition known as Post-Laminectomy Syndrome or Failed Back Surgery Syndrome is defined by persistent back or leg pain following a lumbar surgery. This may be a result of recurrent mechanical pain, the development of scar tissue or fibrosis around the nerve roots, from previous injury to the nerves, inflammation of the small joints (facet joints) or neural structures, and other spine structures which can lead to chronic ongoing pain symptoms. Neuropathic pain may lead to a host of symptoms associated with Post-Laminectomy syndrome. Neuropathic pain may be caused by the original injury to the spinal nerves which prompted the back surgery, and it is pain caused by injury to the nervous system which produced abnormal sensitization of the spinal nerves (central sensitization) and leads to the development of remodeling in the spinal cord pain pathways which produces chronic pain.

What are the Symptoms Associated with Post-Laminectomy Syndrome?

Symptoms from Postlaminectomy Syndrome or Failed Back Surgery Syndrome can include dull and achy or sharp pain, radiation of pain to the buttock and leg similar to sciatic symptoms. The pain may be mild to severe and can be debilitating in some cases.

What is the Treatment for Post-Laminectomy Syndrome?

As with any painful condition, the best treatment outcomes occur when the cause of the medical condition is accurately diagnosed. A Board Certified Pain Management Physician will be able to diagnose this condition and treat it appropriately. A comprehensive treatment plan can be formulated for each individual. The treatment plan may consist of physical therapy, modalities including electrical stimulation (TENS unit), spinal injections (including Trigger Point Injection, Epidural Steroid Injection, Facet Blocks, Lysis of Adhesions, Radiofrequency Ablation), and more advanced treatments including Spinal Cord Stimulation.

Our Fellowship Trained and Board Certified Pain Management Physicians will guide you through the treatment of your neck pain. Our goal is to help you get your life back so you can enjoy life to the fullest.