If you have undergone back surgery and it has not worked to relieve your pain, you may be feeling frustrated, disappointed, and even scared. It is normal to feel this way after unsuccessful surgery. The good news is that other treatment options are still available. Hamilton failed back surgery can be a challenging experience, but it doesn’t have to be the end of the road.
There are some reasons why back surgery may not be successful. In some cases, the wrong procedure may have been performed. In other cases, the surgery may have been effective, but the pain has returned because the underlying cause of the pain has not been addressed. Regardless of the reason, it is important to remember that you are not alone and that options are still available to help correct the mistake.
There are several different types of back surgeries, such as:
- Discectomy can help remove herniated disc material that is pressing on a nerve. This procedure can be performed through a small incision in your back or a larger one.
- Spinal fusion is a procedure to fuse two or more vertebrae together. This is done to stabilize the spine and relieve pain.
- Laminectomy is a procedure to remove the lamina, the back part of a vertebra. This is done to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerves.
- Foraminotomy will enlarge the foramen, which is the opening between two vertebrae. This is done to relieve pressure on the nerves.
- Sacroiliac joint fusion helps to fuse the sacroiliac joints located in the lower back. This is done to relieve pain in the lower back and legs.
The first step is to talk to your surgeon about why the surgery was unsuccessful. It is essential to understand what went wrong and what can be done to fix it. In some cases, revision surgery may be an option. This second surgery is performed to correct the problems with the first surgery. Revision surgery is often successful, but it is not suitable for everyone.
Your surgeon will also likely recommend other nonsurgical treatment options. These may include:
Physical therapy
Did you know that physical therapy can help you recover from a failed back surgery? Physical therapy can help stretch and strengthen the muscles in your back to support your spine.
Pain medication
Various pain medications are available that can help relieve the pain caused by a failed back surgery. These include over-the-counter medications, such as ibuprofen, and prescription medications, such as opioids.
Steroid injections
Steroid injections can help reduce inflammation and pain. They may be used along with other treatments, such as physical therapy.
Spinal cord stimulation
Spinal cord stimulation is a treatment that uses electrical impulses to block pain signals from reaching the brain. This has been found to be an effective treatment for chronic pain.
Alternative therapies
Some alternative therapies may help relieve pain, such as acupuncture, massage, and chiropractic care.
After a failed back surgery, it is important to talk to your surgeon at Interventional Pain Management Associates to figure out what went wrong and if revision surgery is an option.
