Pain after spine surgery?
Review your options.
A careful second opinion reviews your symptoms, previous surgery and imaging. Another operation is not automatically the next step.
Request a Spine Review (Form)Telehealth or in person. Your request does not confirm an appointment.
A careful review before a surgical decision.
Persistent symptoms after spine surgery can have more than one cause. Your evaluation connects symptoms, examination, prior operative history and current imaging before discussing nonsurgical care, further diagnostic work or revision surgery when appropriate.
Bring your imaging
Bring available spine imaging and prior operative reports.
Discuss the alternatives
Review previous care, nonsurgical options, expected benefits, limitations and risks.
Choose the appropriate next step
Surgery is discussed when symptoms, examination and imaging support it. No outcome is guaranteed.
Experience & careful judgment
Meet Dr. Cornacchia.
Louis G. Cornacchia III, M.D., FAANS, FACS
A board-certified neurosurgeon with 30 years of spinal cord stimulation experience.
More about Dr. Cornacchia’s experience and SCS device decisions
Spinal cord stimulation experience
Experienced neurosurgical judgment before device decisions.
A spinal cord stimulator is a medical device decision, but it is also a diagnosis decision. Apteum’s evaluation is designed to clarify whether SCS is reasonable, whether another spine problem needs attention, and what goals should define success for you.
He works with a community of experienced pain-management doctors and with Medtronic, Boston Scientific, and other manufacturers.
Manufacturer relationships do not imply endorsement of a specific device for every patient. Brand and system selection should be based on clinical need, anatomy, MRI considerations, programming goals, prior device history, and shared decision-making.
Additional systems as clinically appropriateYour evaluation focuses on understanding why symptoms persisted or returned after spine surgery, reviewing prior care and explaining which options deserve consideration.
Your evaluation focuses on your diagnosis, prior care and goals. Discuss the expected benefits, limitations, risks and alternatives before choosing your next step. An evaluation is not a commitment to surgery or an implant.
Read Dr. Cornacchia’s training and experience →How spinal cord stimulation works
Watch this explanation created by Dr. Cornacchia. Spinal cord stimulation is one option for selected patients after evaluation; it is not appropriate for every cause of pain and does not replace the discussion of the treatment on this page.
Revision Surgery
Spine Revision & Second Opinions
Still having pain after neck or back surgery? Understand the cause and your next treatment options.
A Second Opinion Before Another Surgery
If pain persists or returns after spine surgery, start with a careful second opinion. Louis G. Cornacchia III, M.D., FAANS, FACS, a board-certified neurosurgeon, reviews your symptoms, previous operation, and imaging before discussing treatment. The goal is to identify a treatable problem and explain your options, including nonsurgical care. Another operation is not assumed.
What We Offer
Dr. Cornacchia’s Experience
All Services
Need Help?
Request a second opinion for symptoms after spine surgery. Bring prior imaging and operative records if available.
What Is Revision Spine Surgery?
What Is Revision Spine Surgery?
Revision spine surgery is a second (or later) operation performed when a previous spine procedure has not delivered lasting relief, or when a new problem has developed. These are among the most complex cases in spine care, and they are a focus of Dr. Louis G. Cornacchia III’s practice. The first step is always understanding why the first surgery didn’t achieve the expected result
Why a Previous Surgery May Not Have Worked
• Incomplete decompression of the affected nerve
• Recurrent disc herniation
• Adjacent segment degeneration (problems developing next to a previous fusion)
• Hardware-related issues or a fusion that did not fully heal
• An inaccurate original diagnosis
What to Bring to Your Second Opinion
Bring available MRI or CT images and reports, your operative report, details of any implants, and a list of medications and treatments you have tried. We review your surgical history and imaging, perform a neurological examination, and request additional imaging when needed.
Had neck surgery? See revision cervical evaluation. Had lower-back surgery? See revision lumbar evaluation.
Request a spine revision / second opinion (Form) or call (609) 831-0998.
Treatment Options
Depending on the cause, options range from targeted non-surgical care and injections to minimally invasive revision procedures or corrective surgery. Revision surgery is recommended only when there is a clear, correctable problem and a realistic expectation of benefit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a second surgery fix the problem?
Sometimes — when there is a specific, identifiable cause. A careful evaluation determines whether revision is likely to help.
Is it too late to get help?
It is rarely too late to be re-evaluated and understand your options.
Physician: Louis G. Cornacchia III, M.D., FAANS, FACS — board-certified neurosurgeon. Content updated: October 12, 2026. This page is for general education and is not a substitute for medical advice. For urgent symptoms, call (609) 831-0998 or go to the nearest emergency room.
Understand your options after spine surgery.
Request an evaluation to review your symptoms, imaging, goals and prior treatment history.
The team will contact you to discuss your request. No outcome is guaranteed.