Back Related Pain
Treating spine-related pain | When back surgery fails
When back surgery fails
There are over 500,000 back surgeries each year in the United States, and half of those are spinal fusions. Spinal fusions are characterized by the placement of metal rods in order to stabilize the spine.
However, there is little clinical evidence to suggest that fusions are any better for patients than the less complicated, less invasive and less serious laminectomies. Even laminectomies, which are most often performed to correct spinal stenosis, have a higher-than-average failure rate compared to other types of surgery.
Interventional pain medicine includes new therapies that may allow more immediate, long-term relief to patients than drugs, physical therapy or chiropractic manipulation alone. These therapies, including spinal cord stimulators and facet blocks, offer alternatives to costly, often debilitating back surgery.
Failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS).
When spine surgery does not resolve a spinal pain problem or it creates an even greater problem for the patient, as is too often the case according to recent studies, it is called failed back surgery syndrome.
Clinical studies have revealed that the most common reason for failed back surgeries is failure to correctly diagnose and treat lateral spinal stenosis (LSS). LSS is a condition that includes disc and annular protrusion, facet hypertrophy and spur formation.
So it helps to see a pain management specialist who is also an outstanding diagnostician. Such a physician is Kenneth C. Lewis, MD at Western Rockies Interventional Pain Management. In addition to being a board-certified anesthesiologist, Dr. Lewis is renowned as an excellent diagnostician. He has helped many patients avoid back surgery entirely.
Get the compassionate help you need.
Instead of suffering with postsurgical pain or agonizing over the decision of whether or not to have invasive spine surgery, see Dr. Lewis first. We have four convenient locations in Grand Junction, Fruita and Rangley, Colorado. He’ll find the most effective way to treat your pain. He welcomes and encourages your referrals.
For more information about back related pain please visit our Patient Education Library. To schedule an appointment, please call Western Rockies Interventional Pain Management at 970-270-2259 or use our Interactive Online Appointment Request Form.