What is Post-Laminectomy Syndrome?
Post-laminectomy Syndrome (PLS) or Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS) is a nonspecific term describing persistent lower back or leg pain after surgery. Common structural causes include foraminal stenosis, painful disc, pseudarthrosis, neuropathic pain, recurrent disc herniation, or sacroiliac joint pain.
Post-laminectomy Syndrome (PLS) or Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS) is a non-specific term describing persistent lower back or leg pain after back surgery, (the odds of this happening are a 50-50% chance after the surgery). Common structural causes include foraminal stenosis, a painful disc, pseudarthrosis, neuropathic pain, recurrent disc herniation, and sacroiliac joint pain, including pain generated by the hardware, e.g., the screws, bolts and bars.
Treatments
The options to improve this pain include blocks, nerve ablations, epidural steroid injections. Ultimately, a patient may be offered a Spinal Cord Stimulator trial, and if successful, proceed to a permanent implant placement.
