Post-Laminectomy Syndrome Specialist in OKC
If you have a chronic back condition, your doctor may recommend a laminectomy. Even though this can be an effective procedure in certain situations, it can lead to significant pain and discomfort. In some cases, you might even develop the post-laminectomy syndrome.
Are you wondering what to expect following a postoperative laminectomy, and how do you know if you have a post-laminectomy syndrome? Take a look at a few important points below, and remember to rely on Oklahoma Pain Doc for all your pain management needs.
What Is Post-Laminectomy Syndrome?
There are countless people who undergo back surgery every year as a treatment for chronic pain. Even though plenty of individuals experience pain relief, some people experience chronic pain following back surgery. If you experience chronic pain following spinal surgery, you might develop the post-laminectomy syndrome. This could indicate that your back surgery was not successful.
If you have the post-laminectomy syndrome, you may suffer from chronic pain and continuous disability. It can lead to significant distress, and you might have difficulty maintaining employment. Because of these reasons, the post-laminectomy syndrome can be a challenging condition to treat, but there are treatment options available.
What Are the Main Causes Of Post Laminectomy Syndrome?
Various factors may contribute to why you might develop post-laminectomy syndrome. Some of the most common causes include:
- It is possible that you may have a herniated disc in your back that hasn’t been treated appropriately.
- There might be nerves in your spinal column that have gotten compressed during the surgery.
- You might have a significant amount of scar tissue built up in your back following surgery. This is often known as fibrosis.
- You could have issues with your facet joints, which are small joints on the sides of your vertebrae.
- You might have problems related to spinal instability.
Post-laminectomy syndrome is more likely to occur if you have certain conditions. For example, if you have diabetes or peripheral vascular disease, you might have a higher chance of developing the post-laminectomy syndrome. In addition, people who smoke regularly, or those with ongoing mental health issues, might also be more likely to develop this condition.
What Are the Most Common Symptoms Of Post Laminectomy Syndrome?
Post-laminectomy syndrome can present differently depending on the underlying reason why you have back pain. This means that the original reason you sought out back surgery may impact the type of symptoms you developed following the procedure.
One of the most common symptoms is neuropathic pain. This pain is typically caused by an injury to the nervous system. Then, you may have issues with your nerves that cause them to function improperly. These nerve problems could lead to pain that radiates to a certain part of your body.
You might also have a condition called radicular pain. This means there might be pain along a nerve root in your back. Every nerve from your spinal cord is responsible for innervating a specific body part. If that nerve is compressed, you may start to develop pain in that particular location.
The most common underlying symptom is chronic pain. Given that there are plenty of conditions that can cause chronic pain, it can be more challenging to diagnose post-laminectomy syndrome. That is why you need to rely on the team from Oklahoma Pain Doc to help you.
How Is Post-Laminectomy Syndrome Diagnosed?
Usually, this condition is determined by combining a clinical history with imaging tests. The doctor may ask questions and look for the symptoms mentioned above. Additionally, a physical examination may be performed to reproduce some of the symptoms listed.
Then, the doctor may order tests and image scans to confirm the diagnosis. Examples of common imaging scans include an x-ray or an MRI. An examination of the back will allow the doctor to determine if the change is consistent with the post-laminectomy syndrome. Then, the doctor may also order electromyography studies, usually shortened to EMG, to look for changes in nerve conduction that are consistent with this condition
How Is Post-Laminectomy Syndrome Treated?
Multiple treatment options are available if you have been diagnosed with post-laminectomy syndrome. Our goal is to help you develop a comprehensive treatment plan that can help you reduce your discomfort and facilitate your recovery.
For example, we may recommend physical therapy and specific exercises to strengthen the muscles on the sides of your spinal column. We may also prescribe specific medications designed to reduce back inflammation. We might also recommend spinal cord stimulation or nerve root injections. We will discuss every treatment option with you, helping you decide the best treatment option for your specific condition. We will also follow up with you to see if we need to adjust your treatment plan down the road. If you are suffering back pain following surgery, turn to Oklahoma Pain Doc for assistance.
Call Oklahoma Pain Doc Today To Make an Appointment
Ultimately, there are many possible post-laminectomy syndrome causes, and you should consult an expert who can guide you through this condition as quickly and comprehensively as possible. At Oklahoma Pain Doc, we have a tremendous amount of experience treating a wide variety of conditions, and it would be our pleasure to help you manage your pain and discomfort. We consistently prioritize our patient’s needs and can do the same for you.
We look forward to hearing from you! Don’t hesitate to call us today!
