3 Options for Treating Failed Back Surgery Syndrome

IndyPain’s Dr. Joseph C. Rutledge and some of our patients talk about the benefits of spinal cord stimulators.

Do you still experience back pain and dysfunction even after you’ve had back surgery? Unfortunately, that’s a common problem that we refer to as failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS).

Repeat or revision back surgeries may seem like a solution for failed back surgery, but they are not always effective, and some people end up feeling even worse than they did before. Multiple back surgeries can also be financially challenging, due to the amount of time off work required during the recovery period.

At the Center for Pain Management, our pain management specialists are proud to provide a range of alternatives to repeat back surgery. If your procedure has failed to alleviate your symptoms, we invite you to explore our other options.

The following three services we provide at our Indianapolis and Greenwood pain management clinics are all outpatient procedures. They offer a much shorter recovery time compared to traditional back surgery while still delivering significant pain-alleviating results.

1. Vertiflex Superion Implant

A Vertiflex Superion implant is a minimally invasive device approved by the FDA for relief from conditions like lumbar spinal stenosis (narrowing of joint spaces in the lower back). It works by restoring the natural space between two vertebrae, therefore alleviating compression on nearby nerves and discs. For a single implant (some patients may need more than one), this procedure takes about 30 minutes.

2. Mild® Procedure

“Mild” stands for “minimally invasive lumbar decompression.” During this procedure, the doctor makes a very small incision (about the size of a baby aspirin) in the patient’s lower back and then uses specialized tools to remove small pieces of bone or other tissues that are compressing nearby nerves and discs. No general anesthesia or stitches are required, and the entire procedure is assisted with a special imaging device for increased accuracy and precision.

3. Spinal Cord Stimulator

A spinal cord stimulator is an implantable device that allows people to adjust their level of pain control. The stimulator has wires attached to a small battery, which generates electrical impulses that disrupt pain signals. Using an external wireless controller, patients can adjust the intensity and timing of the electrical pulses.

Get Help for Post-surgical Back Pain

Do you still struggle with pain, stiffness, numbness, or other symptoms after your last back surgery? If so, we have solutions for you. Please contact the Center for Pain Management to ask about our minimally invasive back pain relief procedures: 317-706-7246.