What is Post-Surgical Pain?

Post Surgical Pain is pain that lingers long after surgical incisions have healed. It is not uncommon for patients to present with pain after a back or neck surgery nor after a joint replacement.

What Causes Post-Surgical Pain?

The formation of scar tissue near the nerve root (also called epidural fibrosis) is a common occurrence after back surgery, so common, in fact, that it often occurs for patients with successful surgical outcomes as well as patients with continued or recurrent leg and back pain. ​Scar tissue formation is part of the normal healing process after spine surgery. While scar tissue can be a cause of back or leg pain, in and of itself the scar tissue is rarely painful since the tissue contains no nerve endings. Scar tissue is generally thought to be the potential cause of the patient’s pain when it binds the lumbar nerve root with fibrous adhesions.

Post-Surgical Pain Treatments

Pain treatment for post-surgical pain is multi-faceted. It will usually involve a combination of physical therapy and rehab, injection medicine procedures, nerve blocks, and pain medication when needed. ​Our pain specialists will address all symptoms and determine the best treatment plan for pain relief.