Revision Spine Surgery Specialist

What is revision spine surgery?

Revision spine surgery repairs problems and relieves pain that persists after an earlier surgery. This condition, failed back surgery, occurs when your pain doesn’t improve within a few months of the surgery intended to alleviate the problem.

You may have the same problem as before your original surgery, or you could develop new pain. Some patients feel better for a while after their initial surgery, then their pain returns several months later.

Why do I need revision spine surgery?

Failed back surgery doesn’t always mean that something went wrong during your original spine procedure. You may need revision spine surgery if you develop an infection or excessive scar tissue after your surgery. 

These problems may also arise after back surgery, leading to the need for revision spine surgery:

Pseudarthrosis

If you had a spinal fusion, the bones may not grow together or heal properly; a condition called pseudarthrosis.

Adjacent level disease

Adjacent level disease or adjacent segment disease occurs when the discs or facet joints directly above or below a spinal fusion start to degenerate.

Recurring conditions

Spine problems such as degenerative disc disease, herniated discs, and spinal stenosis can recur. They may reappear in the same area as your earlier spine surgery or in a different part of your spine. 

Hardware failure

The screws, rods, plates, and other hardware used during surgery to repair your spine can come loose.

Progressive deformities

You may experience new back pain when a spinal deformity gets worse after surgery to repair the problem.

What procedures will I receive during revision spine surgery?

The team at the Center for the Functional Restoration of the Spine first determine the cause of your ongoing pain. They review your medical history, including the information from your prior surgery, perform a thorough exam, and may order more diagnostic imaging.

The procedure each person has during revision spine surgery depends on their unique underlying problem and overall health care needs.

The team may remove and replace instrumentation or repair a failed spinal fusion. They also perform a wide range of possible procedures during revision surgery, including spinal decompression, disc replacement, and vertebral body replacement. 

If you still have back pain several months after spine surgery, you can get the help you need at the Center for the Functional Restoration of the Spine. Call or schedule an appointment online today.