Doctors conducting surgery

SPINE REVISION SURGERY

In addition to treating scoliosis, the Southwest Scoliosis and Spine Institute specializes in addressing complex spinal conditions and revision surgeries. As such, we treat adults and adolescents who have had unsuccessful treatment in the past and are still in pain.

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Southwest Scoliosis and Spine Institute is a true leader in treating adults and children suffering from chronic back pain.  Also this includes the onset of new conditions six months or longer after spine surgery.

Spine Revision Surgery

When Scoliosis or Spine Revision Surgery occurs by another surgeon and the outcome does not reduce pain and discomfort, it’s time to see the experts at the Southwest Scoliosis and Spine Institute in Dallas, Plano, or Frisco, Texas.  Our Scoliosis and spine experts, Richard Hostin, MD, Devesh Ramnath, MD, Ishaq Syed, MD, Shyam Kishan, MD, and Kathryn Wiesman, MD have the expertise and complex surgical skills to correct a failed surgery.  Also, our Spine Specialists participate in worldwide research to further understand and improve treatments for Scoliosis and spine conditions.

A failed back surgery is sometimes called Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBBS).  FBBS occurs when an initial surgery treats a neck or spine condition and fails to produce the desired outcome. Or, in some cases, surgery had been performed many years ago and the progression of scoliosis or another spine injury necessitates additional surgery.  In view of this, we get referrals from doctors all over the world, trusting us to help with some of the most difficult cases.  As a result, we have evaluated over 100,000 patients over the years and completed more than 116,000 successful surgeries.

Why have Spine Revision Surgery?

We get contacted by doctors and patients after failed attempts to alleviate pain and/or progressive symptoms. As an example, we see patients whose original fusion surgery did not heal correctly. When a physician reports that “a fusion did not heal correctly”, that means the bone did not grow and fuse the vertebrae together, and this causes pain. In addition, other patients whose hardware has become loose or broken will experience pain. Several of our patients spend years in pain — looking for a physician with the expert knowledge, skills, and abilities to get an additional surgical procedure to help.  Really, they tell us they wish they had found us earlier in their life. Truly, they realize just how much life has been missed because of suffering.

Questions and Answers.

What is Revision Surgery?

Revision surgery refers to a subsequent surgical procedure performed to address issues or complications related to previous surgery. In the context of spine surgery, revision surgery specifically involves a secondary procedure performed on the spine to correct or improve a previous surgical outcome. Requiring Revision Surgery may result from factors such as persistent or recurrent symptoms, complications, hardware failure, or the need for further correction or stabilization.

When is Revision Surgery Recommended?

There are various situations where patients need revision surgery including inadequate initial surgical outcomes, worsening symptoms or recurrence of the original condition, complications such as infection or implant failure, or the development of new spinal issues over time. The decision for revision surgery is based on a thorough evaluation by a spine specialist who assesses the individual’s symptoms, imaging studies, medical history, and specific concerns or issues that warrant additional intervention.

What are the risks and considerations of having Revision Surgery?

Revision surgery, like any surgical procedure, carries potential risks and considerations. These can include risks associated with anesthesia, infection, bleeding, damage to surrounding structures, and the possibility of recurrent or persistent symptoms. Additionally, revision surgery may have unique challenges compared to the initial surgery, such as scar tissue formation, altered anatomy, or the need to remove or modify existing hardware. It is important for patients to have a thorough discussion with their surgeon to understand the potential risks and benefits specific to their situation before making an informed decision about revision surgery.

 

“Dr. Hostin performed  a laminectomy, and I stayed in the hospital for two days with excellent treatment. Through being very well taken care of, doing physical therapy and all the things they told me to do, in six weeks I was pain free and very happy. Now, I am walking, doing yoga and going on trips. Dr. Hostin is pretty much a miracle worker.” – Linda Morris

Surgical revisions can pose challenges that were not present with the primary procedures.  This is because the normal spine anatomy is altered from the original surgery. For example, the vascular supply to the spine and surrounding soft tissue may become compromised from previous surgery, putting the patient at risk of not healing. Also, the presence of scar tissue at the surgical site can decrease post-operative functionality even with successful fusion. Following our conservative and measured approach to assessing and addressing patients, we will make a thorough and thoughtful decision on non-operative and operative options for patients with difficult problems.

Corrective Surgery

Often, it’s the lumbar spine that is the affected area and causes the most pain. Your lumbar spine is what helps you stand straight, sit in a car and drive, and walk about the grocery store or a park with your family. Your spine supports your body, so if one section is in pain, the entire spine is not functioning correctly. Then you either don’t participate in activities or you must have assistance, or a walker to help you.

Some conditions or common reasons for a corrective revision surgery:

  • Pseudarthrosis
  • Proximal Junction Kyphosis (PJK)
  • Flatback: watch more about – Judy Dorsett’s flatback story
  • Problems that arose after the initial surgery
  • Kyphosis
  • Broken hardware
  • A new spine injury or deformity
  • Adjacent segment disease (ASD)
  • Persistent pain and discomfort – Watch LeRoy Foster’s Video

Common Reasons

Pseudarthrosis, a condition in which the spine does not heal correctly after the initial procedure, refers to the most common reason for revision surgeries.  Moreover, patients also may need revision surgery if they develop a new deformity, a secondary outcome to their primary surgery. Other reasons for revision surgery are as follows:

  • Discectomy Laminectomy
  • Foraminotomy
  • Corpectomy
  • Spinal (Lumbar) Fusion
  • Spinal Cord Stimulation
  • Posterior Cervical Revision Surgery

Demanding Surgeries

“Revisions are technically demanding surgeries,” Dr. Hostin said, “Successful spinal fusion requires extra care in preparing the fusion site to make sure we get good clean bones to work with. Especially in adults, where we may use a bone-inducing protein that revs up the bone cells to grow faster.”

Revision surgeries can take place for almost any healthy patient. Fortunately, we have positive surgical outcomes for healthy patients who are in their 80s. Unfortunately, patients with compromised immune systems or those taking steroids for conditions like rheumatoid arthritis may not heal as effectively as those who have not. Therefore, we spend a lot of time planning the strategy for these surgeries.  Also, every patient goes through a very strict pre-operative regimen to help identify potential complications and health risks beforehand.

Complex Surgeries

“We conduct a large number of complex procedures and each one has made us smarter and wiser for the next one,” Dr. Hostin said. “We can take care of these complex patients and perform these surgeries thanks to the help of our team and the “best processes” that we have put in place. Thus, the best processes that we use have been established through research-based medicine and lots of experience.

Our fellowship-trained orthopedic physicians have extensive specialized training, meaning they participated in additional in-depth instruction, to perfect their skills in orthopedic spine treatment and surgery. Furthermore, our physicians are also active in research, collaborating with other physicians, worldwide, to further understand and correct spine conditions. Consequently, there are only a few surgeons in the country who are experienced in performing these complex surgeries.

How to Diagnose Your Spine Pain Source?

To diagnose the cause of pain or discomfort, at your first appointment with your spine physician he or she will do a very in-depth study of your case. For that reason, please bring any relevant medical records with you for your physician to review. Particularly, your initial evaluation for the condition you wish treatment for. Along with any spinal surgery notes from your first surgery as this will help identify the surgical site and surgical techniques used by your prior physician. One of the most important items is your most current imaging reports and CD copies, including X-ray, MRI, CT, and so forth regarding your neck or spine.

At your appointment, if you don’t have a recent X-ray of your spine and/or neck, your physician may ask you to take additional X-rays. Also, we possess the newest technology, an EOS X-ray imaging machine located in our office. Therefore, you don’t need to make an extra stop to get this done. Finally, we will take some new X-rays while you are here, and your physician can review them right away to help diagnose the problem.

Spinal Fusion

Oftentimes, the revision procedure will involve a spinal fusion to correct a spine deformity. During the procedure, your physician will remove scar tissue.  Then utilize a bone graft to fill any gaps in the spine to fuse the bones together. If any additional herniated discs are present, the doctor will correct those during the surgery as well.

“If you’ve been told that you need revision spine surgery, please do not give up hope, and please give us a call for an evaluation,” says Dr. Hostin. “Revision spine surgery can help with pain, spinal deformity, and repair broken rods in your back. It can provide a significant improvement in the quality of life that can last for the rest of one’s life..”

Why Patients Choose the Southwest Scoliosis and Spine Institute for Revision Spine Surgery

The reason is pretty simple.  It’s simply because the Team at the Southwest Scoliosis and Spine Institute is led by Dr. Richard Hostin.  He is recognized for his skill and knowledge pertaining to the spine.  Fellow doctors refer to him as the Expert. That’s why patients come to him for medical treatment — they want the best.

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Footnote

The National Library of Medicine:  Spinal Revision Surgery

 

If you or a loved one suffers from spinal pain, you owe it to yourself to call Southwest Scoliosis and Spine Institute at 214-556-0555 to make an appointment.

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