In today’s prevalent sedentary lifestyle more and more people are prone to health conditions like neck and shoulder pain, back pain. As the working methods have advanced and it requires people to sit for prolonged periods and it often causes serious issues in the spine.
If diagnosed early, spinal problems can be prevented from worsening and treated. Many have to go the surgery for treating them properly, and there are instances of failed back surgery. Although back surgeries are mostly successful, the complications of failed back also happen, and you need to move forward from there. Moving ahead might be challenging as it compromises the quality of your life. The pain might be alleviated, but it is still there.
What is failed back surgery?
Failed back surgery results from the surgical intervention that has proved not satisfactory in restoring your quality of life. This can also be called “multiply-operated back”. The term is only a disguise for the failed surgery.
Causes
Failed back surgery is a complex condition, there may be variations of it. The causes are also not limited, but there are many. The following are some of the common ones:
- Scar tissue formation
- Recurrent disc herniation
- Remaining spinal disc fragments
- Inadequate recovery after surgery
- Post-operative damage to the surrounding areas of the operation site
- Structural changes
Symptoms of failed back surgery
The most common signs of failed back surgery are consistent aching pain in and around the legs and back that should not be there in the healing process. Other symptoms are:
- New pain at different locations at different levels
- Inability of recuperating
- Restricted mobility
- Sharp and stabbing pain
- Radiating pain through the lower back to the legs
- Back spasms
- Anxiety, stress, and depression, and sleeplessness
- Extremely dependent on the pain medication
Risk factors of failed back surgery
Failed back surgery has the following risk factors:
- Formation of scar tissues
- Pressure from spinal stenosis
- Fusion failure or pseudoarthrosis
- Persistent or recurring disc disease
- Nerve damage, arachnoiditis
- Abnormal movement or inability
Diagnosis
No one wants to live with excruciating and persisting pain. The diagnosis is vital and it can be done through following ways:
- Medical history
It includes the assessment of current symptoms and previous treatments and the kind of care received by the patient in the healing period.
- Physical examination
The spine specialist you go to carry out a physical exam for determining whether there is a limit to the motion, possible issues with the balance, and identifying points of pain. The reflex actions, muscle weakness, or any other sign of spinal damage are also looked for.
- Testing
The spine specialist may also conduct X-rays to look for infection signs and other things. He may also recommend conducting an MRI or CT scan in order to have a 3D view of the entire spine. It helps in diagnosing the problem precisely.
Medications and treatment
Tratamiento fallido de cirugía de espalda is vital to correct the situation. Corrective surgery is not usually recommended. The methods of treatments include the following:
- Medications
Over-the-counter medications prove helpful in relieving pain, inflammation, and swelling. If you experience severe pain, you might be prescribed strong medicines or muscle relaxants.
- Anti-inflammatory drugs
- Narcotics
- Neuromodulatory drugs
The drugs can give you some much-needed relief.
- Therapy
Physical therapy and rehabilitation are some of the most common treatment methods for failed back surgery. The therapy works on strengthening the core muscles of your back, increasing the range of movement of the spine, and improving balance.
- Injections
A corticosteroid injection is injected into the spine directly to reduce inflammation around the nerve roots. The effects are temporary but effective.
- Surgical options
Surgical intervention is not recommended but there is successful surgery performed according to statistics. If you develop progressive weakness, worsening pain, and incontinence, you may require a second surgery. The surgical treatments are:
- Nerve blocks
- Spinal cord stimulation
- Intrathecal drug infusion
Before opting for corrective surgery, you might want to communicate with your spinal doctor first and the possible complications and benefits. You must choose wisely.
