While back surgery has brought relief to millions, unfortunately, for most patients who experience back pain, there is no simple solution. Although a large percentage of low back pain patients report significant post-surgery pain relief, there is no guarantee surgery will help every individual, which is why the benefits of undergoing a spinal procedure should always be weighed carefully against the risks.

Neuropathic pain after spinal surgery also called failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS), is a common problem for many back patients. Even though some medications may be very effective in treating pain after surgery, many patients continue experiencing intolerable pain and physical disability.

 

New Research Shows Patients Who Catastrophize Pain Will Not Benefit from Spine Surgery

According to a new study reported at the 2017 Annual Meeting of the North American Spine Society, half of patients who demonstrated a high level of pain, referred to as “pain catastrophizing,” before spine surgery experienced more pain, greater disability and a lower rate of return to work one year after surgery. With the right treatments, the pain can ease, but a complete cure may be unlikely. However, hope is not lost. The specialists with All Star Pain Management, www.allstarpainmanagement.com, can help.

For those experiencing chronic back pain after surgery, the treatment options range from medication management, physical and occupational therapy, stress management and relaxation training, to psychiatric care and counseling.

Source of Pain Often Difficult to Locate

Pinpointing the source of pain can be elusive. Patients whose pain persists beyond the usual healing time are likely to develop the physical and psychosocial symptoms that coexist with chronic pain illnesses. Eventually, the pain affects a patient’s physical and psychosocial health, lifestyle, and productivity.

 

Hope in Treatment at All Star Pain Management

According to an article entitled “Neuropathic Pain after Spinal Surgery,” from the U.S. National Library Medicine National Institutes of Health, Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) has been widely examined as a treatment option for chronic neuropathic pain, including FBSS.

SCS is a generally accepted approach to improve chronic back and leg pain, physical function, and sleep quality. According to a 2-year follow-up study in the above-mentioned article, SCS was more effective than repeated spinal surgery in treating pain. Even though SCS is considered an invasive procedure, it is regarded to be a relatively safe technique.

 

While current methods may not provide complete relief, All Star Pain Management takes a multidisciplinary approach to manage this complex issue.

Safe and effective pain management services include:

 

• Fluoroscopically Guided Spinal Injections
• Spinal Cord Stimulator treatment
• In-Office Injections of Joints and Muscles Under Ultrasound Guidance
• Medication Management of Acute and Chronic Pain

 

FBSS can be problematic for both patients and doctors because it typically does not respond to conventional medication or injection therapy. Contact All Star Pain Management at 443-808-1808 or www.allstarpainmanagement.com, to explore a multidisciplinary treatment approach. The All Star Mission is to bring back your smile with a pain free lifestyle!