Post-laminectomy syndrome is
a condition where the patient suffers from persistent pain in the back following surgery to the back
. This article reviews this condition in a bit more detail. A laminectomy is a procedure where a part of the vertebra that protects the spinal-cord is removed.
Can post laminectomy syndrome be cured?
Thankfully, post-laminectomy syndrome can often be successfully treated with noninvasive methods such as nerve blocks, spinal cord stimulation, and
facet joint injections
. Radiofrequency neurotomy is another treatment candidate.
What are the symptoms of post laminectomy syndrome?
- Dull or achy back or leg pain following lower back surgery.
- Dull or achy neck or arm pain following neck surgery.
- Sharp pain in extremities.
How long does post laminectomy syndrome last?
Another trial found SCS effectively helped control pain in 62 of 116 patients with pain in the back and lower extremities (of these, 56 exhibited post laminectomy syndrome) over follow-up periods ranging from
6 months to 10 years
, with a mean follow-up period of 40 months (Kumar et al, 1991).
How long does nerve pain last after laminectomy?
Sometimes this is a temporary condition as the nerve root or roots take time to heal. This can
take days to weeks
. If the pain is still there after 3 months, it is unlikely to improve on its own.
How long do you have pain after laminectomy?
You can expect your back to feel stiff or sore after surgery. This should improve
in the weeks after surgery
. You may have trouble sitting or standing in one position for very long and may need pain medicine in the weeks after your surgery.
How bad is pain after laminectomy?
After surgery,
pain is no longer achy and arthritic but stems from wound healing, swelling and inflammation
. You will experience some pain outside of the hospital. For most back surgeries, it will take 1-1.5 months to resume “normal” mobility and function. During this time, pain should be tolerable and controlled.
Is it normal to have nerve pain after a laminectomy?
In some cases, despite performing a laminectomy, patients experience
pain
because the spinal column itself is narrowed in a condition called spinal stenosis. Sometimes, there may be a small fragment of the disc still remaining following the laminectomy which can irritate the spinal-cord causing pain.
Do you need physical therapy after a laminectomy?
In general, you should expect to start
physical therapy 4 to 6 weeks after your lumbar laminectomy
or discectomy. If there were any post-operative complications like infection or excessive bleeding, then you may need to wait a bit longer.
Can you have a second laminectomy?
In essence, a revision laminectomy is the same procedure as a standard laminectomy.
It is simply being performed for a second time
. The most common cause of this is the regrowth of bone spurs.
What is the best sleeping position after a laminectomy?
The best sleeping position to reduce your back pain after surgery is either
on your back with your knees bent and a pillow under your knees
or on your side with your knees bent and a pillow between your legs.
How soon can you walk after a laminectomy?
This is usually
2 to 3 weeks after a laminectomy and discectomy
and 4 to 6 weeks after a lumbar fusion. Narcotic pain medications will delay your reflex time. Begin with short trips first and get out of the car every 30 to 45 minutes to walk around and reposition.
What can go wrong after laminectomy?
A few potential complications of open lumbar laminectomy are:
Neural tissue damage
. Injury to the spinal cord's dura, cauda equina syndrome, nerve roots, and the formation of scar tissue may occur causing neural tissue damage in the lumbar spine.
What helps nerve pain in legs after back surgery?
In the early postoperative period (3 to 12 months),
medications such as Neurontin
may help limit back pain or leg pain, and exercises can help free up the nerve. Beyond this time period, pain management techniques may help the patient cope with the back pain or leg pain.
Do damaged nerves ever heal?
Your
nerves have an ability to heal and regenerate even once they have been damaged
, assuming that they have been properly repaired.
How long does it take for nerve damage to heal after surgery?
Keep in mind that recovery time will depend on how much distance the growing nerve needs to cover. Successful nerve growth to the neuromuscular endplate may take as long as
6-12 months
after surgery. After this period, nerve maturation and initial muscle recovery may take 12-18 months.
