01 — Overview
Revision begins with a diagnosis rather than an operation. Prior operative reports and previous imaging are reviewed against current studies to establish what has changed: a fusion that has not healed, a level that was not addressed, hardware that has loosened, or a change in alignment. Some patients arrive having been told there are no further surgical options; where that is the case it is said plainly, and where a specific correctable problem is identified, that is discussed in detail.
02 — Who it suits
- Pseudarthrosis, where a fusion has not healed
- Adjacent segment degeneration above or below a prior fusion
- Loose, prominent or broken hardware
- Residual or recurrent stenosis
- Loss of alignment following a previous fusion
03 — How it is done
Scar tissue is dissected carefully to identify normal anatomy before working near the dura. Existing hardware is assessed and revised where it has failed. Alignment is addressed, the fusion bed is prepared, and the construct is extended to healthy bone. Navigation is useful where the usual landmarks have been removed.
04 — Recovery
Revision surgery generally involves a longer recovery than the original operation. Expectations are set explicitly beforehand, including which symptoms are likely to improve and which may not.
05 — Conditions treated
- Persistent Pain After Spine Surgery Persistent or recurrent pain following spine surgery, often due to incomplete resolution of the initial condition or new complications.
- Scoliosis & Spinal Deformity An abnormal lateral curvature of the spine, which can lead to pain, deformity, and respiratory issues if severe.
- Degenerative Disc Disease A condition where the spinal discs wear down over time, leading to pain, stiffness, and potential nerve compression.
- Spondylolisthesis & Spinal Instability A condition where a vertebra slips out of place onto the bone below it, causing pain and nerve compression.
Timelines and techniques described here are general. Your own plan depends on your anatomy, your imaging and your medical history, and is decided with you at consultation.
