Why do I still have back pain after spine surgery?

Quick answer: Persistent pain after spine surgery is more common than most people expect. It can come from normal healing, scar tissue, an original source that wasn’t fully resolved, or new issues such as adjacent-segment stress, and most patients find relief without another surgery.

Why pain can continue

Some discomfort during healing is normal as inflammation, nerve sensitivity, and scar tissue settle. When pain lasts longer than expected, the cause may be degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, a recurrent herniated disc, hardware irritation, or adjacent-segment disease, where nearby levels take on extra stress.

Non-surgical next steps

• Follow up and re-image to identify the true source of pain
• A targeted physical therapy program to rebuild support and confidence
• Image-guided injections to calm inflamed nerves and joints
• Radiofrequency ablation, or spinal cord / peripheral nerve stimulation for more complex cases

When to seek help right away

Contact a provider immediately for sudden severe pain, new numbness or weakness in the arms or legs, loss of bladder or bowel control, or signs of infection such as fever or redness around the incision.

Frequently asked questions

Is it normal to still hurt after spine surgery?

Some soreness during healing is expected; pain that lasts longer than anticipated should be evaluated.

Will I need another surgery?

Usually not, most post-surgical pain is managed with minimally invasive, non-surgical care.

What treatments help pain after spine surgery?

Physical therapy, image-guided injections, radiofrequency ablation, and nerve stimulation are all effective options.

Ongoing pain after surgery doesn’t mean another operation, we can find the source and build a non-surgical plan. Schedule a consultation with Colorado Pain Care: call (303) 468-7246 or book online here.