3 Alternatives to Repeat Back Surgery

Deciding to undergo back surgery can be the biggest decision you have ever made. Any spinal surgery comes with some level of risk and often, a long recovery period. And even after undergoing surgery, there is no guarantee of pain relief!

A large percentage of people who undergo different types of spinal surgeries, such as a lumbar laminectomy, with or without fusion) go on experiencing the same or even new pain and other symptoms after their surgical procedure. This persistence of pain and failure to find relief after a back surgery is often referred to as the Failed Back Surgery Syndrome or FBSS and can be an extremely frustrating situation. Some patients also undergo a revision surgery in order to correct FBSS. Generally, each following surgery proves less effective than the previous one.

Fortunately, there are now effective alternative options to treat FBSS and avoid repeating back surgery–

• Spinal cord stimulator implants – Spinal cord stimulators use mild and safe electrical currents to block or reduce pain signals from the spine to the brain. The procedure is carried out in two steps – a trial procedure and the permanent one. If the patient reports significant pain relief with the trial implant, the permanent one can be implanted. The process to implant the stimulator takes about an hour, and patients can go home the same day. 
• Pain pump implants – Oral pain medications, when taken for extended periods of time, may lead to tolerance and dependence. An intrathecal pain pump implant is a safer way to deliver pain-relieving medication to inflamed spinal nerves without having to take oral painkillers. A small device filled with medication can be implanted under the skin, and programmed to release specific doses of medication throughout the day.
• Physical therapy – People with back pain can experienced ebilitating, chronic pain and this can make movement difficult. Lack of movement can then weaken the muscles, putting further strain the back and cause even more. As a result, the patient may stay stuck in this cycle. Physical therapy can disrupt this cycle, by helping patients strengthen the muscles and become more flexible, in order to gradually increase activity and obtain pain relief. Physical therapy treatment is often used together with other therapies.

Compared to conventional back surgery, all these treatments pose a lower risk and much faster recovery time. However, they may be offered as part of a comprehensive, individualized pain management plan of care to help patients live an improved quality of life.

If you are looking for internal medicine and restorative pain management doctors in San Diego, call Pacific Medical Care at (619) 333-8114.Pacific Medical Care provides a wide range of healthcare services, and first-rate care to treat the whole patient.

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pacificmedical Joined: October 24th, 2018