Post-Laminectomy Syndrome
Post-Laminectomy Syndrome is a disease characterized as a chronic condition that may occur to some patients who have undergone a laminectomy, or back surgery.
A laminectomy is a surgery that removes the lamina, the part of the vertebrae that links the body of the vertebrae to the pointy part of the vertebrae you can feel on your back through the skin, in order to release pressure on the spinal nerves.
Post-laminectomy Syndrome is used to describe a variety of chronic pain disorders that a patient experiences after back surgery.
Possible causes
- Surgical intervention at the wrong level of the spine
- Scar tissue development compressing spine
- Incomplete removal of lamina
- Arachnoiditis: inflammation of protective coats of spinal cord
- Psychosocial issues: depression, etc.
The doctor makes this diagnosis when a patient’s chronic pain has developed a pattern after surgery.
Radiographic imaging may be used to determine if there is inflammation or other abnormalities are present where the lamina was removed.
Mental health screening may also be used to determine if there are certain psychosocial concerns present.
Treatment of post-laminectomy syndrome is individualized based on the patient.
Treatments
- Opioids
- Spinal cord stimulation
- Adhesiolysis: mechanical or chemical removal of scar tissue