What is Failed Back Surgery Syndrome?

Patients with failed back surgery syndrome may experience a wide range of potential symptoms depending on the area affected, the cause of the condition, and complications. In most cases, patients experience one or more of the following types of pain:

– Chronic Pain — Persistent pain that lasts for more than 12 weeks; may be severe, but should go away when the spine heals.

– Nociceptive Pain — Localized pain that may be dull or sharp, typically felt in the muscles, skin or other soft tissues.

– Neuropathic Pain — Nerve-related pain, also known as neuropathy, is caused by damage to the nerves or spinal cord. Unlike nociceptive pain, which can be traced to a single site or area, neuropathic pain often shoots and moves (radiates), affecting large areas of the body, such as an entire limb.

– Radicular Pain — Also known as radiculopathy, radicular pain is a subset of nerve pain and is characterized by pain that shoots from one area to another.

Other common symptoms of FBSS include:

– Original symptoms return
– New problems arise
– Reduced mobility
– Headaches develop
– Low back pain
– Dull ache
– Numbness
– Cold sensations
– Paresthesia (burning, prickly sensations)

There are a number of causes of failed back surgery syndrome, some of which occur as a result of an error during surgery (less likely), or because of a misdiagnosis and therefore improper treatment. The most common causes include:

– Improper Preoperative Patient Selection Before Back Surgery — This is the most common cause of failed back surgery syndrome, and often occurs from a misdiagnosis, leading to the wrong area being treated or the wrong treatment being provided.

– Recurrent Disc Herniation After Spine Surgery — Another common cause of recurrent pain after spine surgery is a recurrent disc herniation. This can occur even if the first surgery was successful, if, for example, another disc ruptures.

– Technical Error During Spine Surgery — While less likely than the other causes, if there is continued pain after spine surgery, the spine surgeon must also consider technical error. A number of errors can occur, such as missing a fragment of bone or herniated disc material.

The exact prevalence of failed back surgery syndrome (FBBS) is not well-documented, but current estimates put the number anywhere between 20 to 40 percent of patients who undergo low back surgery. This does not mean that the patients experienced an immediate increase in pain and reduction in quality of life; these numbers are based on the long-term success rate of the surgery and its ability to provide relief. In many cases of FBBS, patients only notice a return or worsening of symptoms within 12 to 24 months.

Because failed back surgery syndrome has so many potential causes, there is no single treatment for this condition. Rather, the patient’s condition is assessed on an individual basis to determine the best course of action. In many cases, physical therapy is part of the treatment plan, which may include steroid injections, nerve blocks, or a minimally invasive surgical procedure. If your surgical procedure did not provide relief from your pain, there are other treatment options you should be aware of that can improve your quality of life. Contact Global Neuro & Spine today to learn more or book an appointment at our spine clinic. We serve patients from all across the Sunshine State, in Orlando FL, Conway FL, Edgewood FL, Jensen Beach FL, Ocean Breeze FL, Rio FL, Palm Bay FL, Melbourne FL, Atlantis FL, Palm Springs FL, Boynton Beach FL, Fort Pierce FL, White City FL, St Lucie FL, Plantation FL, Pine Island Ridge FL, Lauderhill FL, Winter Park FL, Bertha FL, Alafaya FL and surrounding areas.