Spine conditions
Continued pain after lower back surgery
If the operation did not settle the pain, the next step is finding out which structure is generating it now — not repeating the same approach.
Understanding the condition
When back pain outlasts the operation
Persistent pain after lumbar surgery is common enough to have its own name in the literature. It does not mean the operation was done badly. It usually means either that the structure that was operated on was not the only pain generator, or that the mechanics of the spine changed after surgery and something else is now taking the load.
After a fusion, the segments immediately above and below move more than they used to. After a discectomy, the disc and the surrounding tissue are altered. Either way, the useful question is not "did the surgery work" but "what hurts now, and can we reach it".
Symptoms
What patients describe
- Back pain that never fully resolved after surgery
- New pain at a different level of the spine months or years later
- Leg pain, numbness or weakness that persists
- Stiffness and difficulty with sitting, standing or walking distances
- Reliance on medication to get through the day
- Being told the only remaining option is more surgery
If this sounds like your situation, a consultation starts with finding out exactly which structure is causing the pain.
Treatment
Post-surgical evaluation at RegenOrthoSport
Primary treatment
Image-guided stem cell therapy (BMAC)
Where the examination points to a specific structure — a facet joint, the SI joint, a ligament, an irritated nerve root — a regenerative injection can be directed there under fluoroscopic or ultrasound guidance.
Bone marrow is collected from the back of your hip, concentrated in a centrifuge, and placed by Dr. Movva under ultrasound or X-ray guidance so the treatment reaches the structure that is actually injured.
Before surgery or steroids
Why look at regenerative options first?
Revision surgery is sometimes necessary, and Dr. Movva will say so when that is the case. But it is a large step to take on the basis of imaging alone, particularly when imaging after previous surgery is difficult to interpret.
The alternative is to work from the examination outwards: identify the structures that reproduce your pain, treat them one at a time under image guidance, and see what changes. That approach is diagnostic as well as therapeutic, and it does not close off any future option.
Your plan
What treatment can include
- A full review of your operative history and current imaging
- Image-guided diagnostic and regenerative injections of the structures identified
- Treatment of adjacent segments, facet joints or the SI joint where these are involved
- A rehabilitation plan that accounts for what was operated on
- An honest opinion on whether further surgery is the right answer
Every plan begins with a detailed assessment. Dr. Movva will tell you if regenerative treatment is not the right option for your case.
Recovery timeline
What to expect after treatment
All patients go home the same day. Mild soreness at the bone marrow collection site and injection areas is common for several days, as the healing process begins with a natural inflammatory response.
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First few days
Mild soreness or stiffness is typical.
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Weeks 2–6
Gradual improvement in pain, mobility, and daily function.
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Months 2–6
Continued healing as stem cells and growth factors support tissue repair.
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Your rehab plan
Dr. Movva provides a personalized rehabilitation plan to help you achieve the best possible results.
Patient reviews
Patients in their words
I started my journey with Dr. Movva 7 months ago to regenerate L4L5. Still healing, however; extremely pleased with my progress. All of Dr. Movva’s staff are equally as great.
Dr. Movva and his staff have been a pleasure to work with. Everyone is kind and courteous. Dr. Movva is personable and his tenure is obvious with the fluidity of his procedures. I am still a couple months away from receiving the full effects of my treatment but I can already feel relief.
Individual results vary. Patient testimonials describe personal experiences and are not a guarantee of outcome for any other patient.
Related
More spine conditions
Can regenerative treatments help if I've already been told I need surgery?
Some patients who have been advised to undergo surgery may still benefit from a regenerative orthopedic evaluation. Depending on the condition and its severity, advanced non-surgical treatments may be an option to help improve function or potentially delay surgery. However, surgery remains the best treatment for some conditions, and recommendations are made on an individual basis.
Am I a candidate for regenerative orthopedic treatment?
Candidates are typically individuals seeking non-surgical options for joint pain, sports injuries, tendon or ligament damage, or degenerative orthopedic conditions. Your physician will determine whether regenerative treatment is appropriate based on your diagnosis, imaging findings, and overall health.
Who may not be a candidate?
Certain advanced injuries, severe joint damage, active infections, or specific medical conditions may make regenerative treatment less appropriate. Every patient receives a comprehensive evaluation to determine the safest and most effective treatment approach.
Are there risks or side effects?
Most patients experience only mild soreness, swelling, or stiffness for a few days after treatment. As with any medical procedure, there are potential risks, which your physician will discuss during your consultation along with the expected benefits based on your condition.
Consultation request
Get a second opinion
Tell us where it hurts and how it is holding you back. Our team will contact you to schedule a consultation with Dr. Movva at our Dallas office.
- Consultation with Dr. Movva
- Review of your history and imaging
- An honest answer on candidacy
Prefer to talk? Call (817) 442-9292 or text (817) 441-0457.
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