What is post-laminectomy syndrome?
Post-laminectomy syndrome is ongoing back or neck pain associated with having spinal surgery. If the surgery hasn’t worked to relieve your discomfort, lingering chronic pain can diminish your quality of life. It is not a masking of symptoms, but modulation of neurological signal pathway at the microscopic level. Fortunately, a wide array of pain relief options are available at Houston Pain Specialists.
What are the risk factors for post-laminectomy syndrome?
The cause of post-surgery pain isn't always clear. However, your risk of experiencing it increases if you have:
- Returning disc herniation
- Nerve root compression
- Scar tissue buildup
- Facet joint problems
- Spinal instability
- Diabetes
- Peripheral vascular disease
- Autoimmune disorders
- Depression or anxiety
- A history of smoking
Because spinal surgery isn’t always effective for pain relief, consider additional options available at Houston Pain Specialists if post-laminectomy pain doesn’t subside.
What are the symptoms of post-laminectomy syndrome?
The following signs and symptoms may indicate you have post-laminectomy syndrome:
- Neuropathy pain
- Shooting or stabbing pain
- Back pain
- Neck pain
- Pain in your arms or legs
- Joint pain
- Muscle spasms
- Weakness
- A heavy feeling
If post-laminectomy pain is severe or doesn’t subside over time, see the expert team at Houston Pain Specialists for an evaluation.
How is post-laminectomy syndrome diagnosed?
To diagnose post-laminectomy syndrome, your pain specialist reviews your symptoms, medical history, and completes a physical exam. They can use X-rays, MRIs, other imaging procedures, or nerve conduction studies to find out what’s causing the discomfort and develop a treatment plan.
How is post-laminectomy syndrome treated?
Your personalized pain management treatment might include:
Physical therapy
Physical therapy exercises can strengthen and stretch painful areas to ease pain naturally, relieve pinched nerves, strengthen muscles and joints, and prevent future discomfort.
Medications
Some medications can relieve symptoms related to post-laminectomy syndrome. Your pain specialist lets you know which medicines are right for you.
Spinal cord stimulation
The team of experts at Houston Pain Specialists can implant a spinal cord stimulator just beneath your skin near your spinal cord to send electrical impulses and block pain signals to your brain. Two procedures are needed – a trial run and spinal cord stimulation implantation.
Epidural steroid injections
Steroid spinal injections help reduce inflammation and relieve discomfort associated with post-laminectomy syndrome. Your pain management specialist numbs the area first to prevent discomfort while they insert the needle into your spine.
Radiofrequency ablation
Noninvasive radiofrequency ablation uses radio waves to heat up nerve tissues and prevent pain signals from traveling to your brain.
Don’t live with chronic post-laminectomy syndrome pain when effective treatments are available at Houston Pain Specialists. Schedule an appointment over the phone or online today.
