Scar Tissue Removal

Scar tissue forming near a nerve root is called epidural fibrosis. This epidural fibrosis is a common occurrence after “open” or fusion spine surgery has been performed. The formation of scar tissue is part of a normal healing process the body goes through after these spine surgeries.

Unfortunately, the build-up of this scar tissue can cause nerve impingements causing postoperative back or leg pain.

When pain caused by the build-up of scar tissue interferes with your life, you may consider scar removal surgery.

Scar Removal Surgery for Spinal Fusion Patients

Scar tissue is one of the common causes of failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS). After traditional open spine surgery or spinal fusion, scar tissue fills in the place of tissue that is removed during surgery, such as muscles, tendons, ligaments or bone. It often attaches itself to the bone and if a nerve is nearby the nerve can become caught in the scar tissue and be provoked with certain movements. This is the cause of the pain created in previous spine surgeries that The Bonati Spine Institute’s spine surgeons commonly treat through a scar tissue removal procedure.

It should be noted that since there are no nerve endings in the scar tissue, it is not painful in itself. However, when it binds with spinal nerve roots with fibrous adhesions, it can cause back pain or pain in the extremities (radicular pain).

Our approach removes the scar tissue from around the nerve, and more importantly detaches the scar tissue and the nerve from the bone. In a patient suffering from scar tissue pain, the postoperative care after a surgical decompression is very important. The patient’s rehabilitation should focus on maintaining range of motion. By keeping the nerve moving, any subsequent scar tissue that may form will be more mobile with the nerve. If the scar tissue then remains mobile, the patient will not be symptomatic.

It is important to note that one of the advantages of The Bonati Spine Procedures is that scar removal surgery is done through a small incision and there is minimal dissection of muscle fibers unlike traditional spine surgery. This causes far less trauma to the tendons, muscles, ligaments, bones, joints and nerves of the spine, which in turn minimizes scar tissue formation after the surgery.

The Bonati Spine Institute encourages patients suffering from painful scar tissue to contact us to request a no-obligation MRI review or discuss your conditions with one of our medical professionals. Find out why The Bonati Spine Procedures are considered to be among the world’s best solutions for spinal problems. Scar tissue removal surgery could make your pain a thing of the past.