Post-Laminectomy Syndrome
Persistent pain after spine surgery deserves a fresh evaluation.
Post-laminectomy syndrome, often called failed back surgery syndrome, describes persistent or recurrent pain after spine surgery. The next step starts with understanding what pain pattern remains.
A calmer way to understand post-laminectomy syndrome.
This illustration is a simplified educational view. It is meant to support the discussion on this page, not replace an individualized exam, imaging review, or medical diagnosis.
Pain after spine surgery
Symptoms may include back or neck pain, radiating arm or leg pain, numbness, burning, weakness, scar-area pain, or limited walking tolerance. The source may be nerve-related, joint-related, disc-related, SI-joint-related, or mixed.
Gulf Coast Pain & Spine serves patients from Houston, Webster, Clear Lake, League City, Friendswood, Pearland, Pasadena, and surrounding Greater Houston communities.
How the diagnosis-first visit works
Your physician may review operative history, updated imaging, prior injections, neurologic symptoms, medication response, therapy, and whether pain is mostly axial, radiating, or both.
The goal is to connect symptoms, exam findings, imaging, prior response to care, insurance or referral requirements, and practical goals before recommending a next step.
What treatment conversations may include
Treatment conversations may include epidural steroid injections, selective nerve root blocks, medial branch blocks, radiofrequency ablation, SI joint evaluation, spinal cord stimulation trials, or referral coordination when structural surgery questions remain.
Not every patient is a candidate for every procedure. Your physician will recommend care based on diagnosis, medical history, imaging, exam, and safety considerations.
Frequently asked questions
Is post-laminectomy syndrome the same as a failed surgery?
Not necessarily. It means pain persists or returns after surgery. The reason may be complex and deserves careful reassessment.
When is spinal cord stimulation discussed?
Spinal cord stimulation may be discussed for selected persistent nerve-related pain patterns after appropriate evaluation and trial planning.
Is this medical advice?
No. This page is educational and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For emergencies, call 911.
Request a diagnosis-first pain evaluation.
Call the practice or request an appointment online. The team can help match your symptoms to the right visit, location, and next step.