Recommendations / 01/06/2019

Is there such a thing as failed back surgery syndrome?

You are here. Failed back surgery syndrome (also called FBSS, or failed back syndrome) is a misnomer, as it is not actually a syndrome – it is a very generalized term that is often used to describe the condition of patients who have not had a successful result with back surgery or spine surgery and have experienced continued pain after surgery.

When to have back surgery for back pain?

Surgery represents an important treatment option for physicians in managing chronic back pain, especially conditions that are intractable to more conservative interventions. Except for emergency situations, surgery is only undertaken after attempting less invasive procedures.

Where to get help for failed back surgery?

In the aftermath of an unsuccessful surgery, and faced with mounting physical and psychological problems, many FBSS patients seek treatment from chronic pain centers. In the United States, approximately two-thirds of all patients enrolled in chronic pain centers suffer from FBSS.

Why do so many back surgeries not work?

By far the number one reason back surgeries are not effective and some patients experience continued pain after surgery is because the lesion that was operated on is not in fact the cause of the patient’s pain.

Can you have surgery for chronic back pain?

Surgery can also be an option for chronic back pain if there is a known cause confirmed by imaging and if other treatments didn’t help. “Get opinions from at least two surgeons,” suggests Nava, “as pain can still come back after the surgery.”.

Why is the back surgery failure rate so high?

The term commonly used to describe this condition is called failed back surgery syndrome. Failed back surgery syndrome statistics show that anywhere from 10-40% of patients are affected. Why is the back surgery failure rate so high? Much of it is due to the major shortcomings of two common types of back surgery—fusion and disc replacement.

How often does back surgery cause back pain?

Researchers believe that failed back surgery occurs in anywhere between 10% to 40% of lumbar laminectomy surgeries (with or without spinal fusion). 1 Other studies show that 5% to 36% of people who undergo a discectomy for a lumbar herniated disc saw their leg and back pain return just 2 years after surgery. 2

What to do after a failed back surgery?

Treatment for failed back surgery syndrome may include physical therapy, nerve blocks, medications, injections or a chronic pain management program. If the pain is possibly coming from the facet or sacroiliac joints, chiropractic care may be recommended.

What happens after failed back surgery?

After any spine surgery, a percentage of patients may still experience pain. This is called failed back or failed fusion syndrome, which is characterized by intractable pain and an inability to return to normal activities. Surgery may be able to fix the condition but not eliminate the pain. The main symptom is pain following back surgery.

What does failed back surgery syndrome mean?

What is Failed Back Surgery Syndrome? Failed Back Surgery Syndrom (FBSS) is a condition that occurs in patients who have had one or more lower back surgeries without long-term relief of symptoms, and they have persistent or recurring pain in their lower back and legs.

Why do most back surgeries fail?

Back surgeries can fail for several reasons, such as: Failure of the surgeon to identify the proper cause of the back pain. Poor surgical technique or a mistake on the part of the surgeon. Scar formation as a result of the surgery. Failure to achieve a successful fusion.

What causes chronic back pain after back surgery?

This is discussed at length below. Generally speaking, spinal pain that occurs right after surgery is from sensitized nerves, while chronic post-surgical spinal pain is often from spinal instability, but, can have many different causes. Some of these problems can include:

How to avoid back surgery syndrome ( FBSS )?

Therefore, the best way to avoid a spine surgery that leads to an unsuccessful result is to stick to operations that have a high degree of success and to make sure that an anatomic lesion that is amenable to surgical correction is identified preoperatively. Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS): What It Is and How to Avoid Pain after Surgery

What are the names of back and neck surgeries that have failed?

The most commonly failed surgeries resulting from a misdiagnosis of the above conditions are failed cervical fusion, failed lumbar laminectomy and failed lumbar discectomy. These procedures include surgeries on the neck (cervical), middle (thoracic) or lower (lumbar) areas of the spine. Do I have Failed Surgery Syndrome?

What happens when back surgery does not work?

Learning your spine surgery did not produce the outcomes you expected can be extremely disappointing, but therapies may help reduce your pain and restore your ability to function in everyday life. Not all patient pain complaints can be fixed with spine surgery.

Can a back surgery cut out back pain?

Unfortunately, back surgery or spine surgery cannot literally cut out a patient’s pain. It is only able to change anatomy, and an anatomical lesion (injury) that is a probable cause of back pain must be identified prior to rather than after back surgery or spine surgery.

Who are the authors of failed back syndrome?

Jacob P. Schwarz M.D., Neal J. Naff M.D., in Current Therapy in Neurologic Disease (Seventh Edition), 2006 Failed back syndrome is an all-too-common problem that is disabling, demoralizing, and disruptive to a patient’s quality of life.

How to diagnose back and failed fusion syndrome?

Failed Back and Failed Fusion Syndrome 1 Overview. After any spine surgery, a percentage of patients may still experience pain. 2 Symptoms. The main symptom is pain following back surgery. 3 Diagnosis. A diagnosis will be based on the patient’s symptoms and medical history. 4 Treatment. …

Is there a cure for failed back syndrome?

Although failed back syndrome is one of the more frustrating problems that confronts neurologists and neurosurgeons, a thoughtful methodical evaluation and treatment plan may provide benefit and ensure that all that can be done is offered for these patients. 4. CLINICAL ISSUES a. i.

When does back pain come back after surgery?

And for some, surgery may be the only option for relief. Sometimes, though, surgery doesn’t bring that relief. Up to 40% of patients have experienced continued pain after surgery, which is often referred to as Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS).

What to do if you have failed back syndrome?

If pain persists, a discectomy, laminectomy or spinal fusion procedure may be the next step. Failed back syndrome is the term for pain that persists even after surgery. It does not necessarily mean that the surgery was botched; more likely, it was ineffective. Why Does Failed Back Syndrome Happen?

Which is more predictable back surgery or discectomy?

Some types of back surgery are far more predictable in terms of alleviating a patient’s symptoms than others. A discectomy (or microdiscectomy) for a lumbar disc herniation that is causing leg pain is a very predictable operation. However, a discectomy for a lumbar disc herniation that is causing lower back pain is far less likely to be successful.

When to get a second opinion on back surgery?

“If your doctor is recommending fusion even though you have no spondylolisthesis, get a second opinion.” Be especially wary of “complex” fusions that involve more than two vertebra being joined with hardware. These increase the risks of the procedure.

When is back surgery the right choice for You?

Spinal stenosis is a common problem in the aging spine. Stenosis means the space around the spinal cord has narrowed. Bulging discs and overgrowth of bone and ligaments can all contribute to the narrowing, which presses on the nerves and causes pain. In some cases, fusion can be part of the solution.

What are the risks and benefits of back surgery?

Unlike spinal fusion, the implant provides stability and lets you move your back almost like normal. You may not be able to bend backward as easily in that area. The biggest risk of back surgery: Not knowing for sure if it’s going to help with your pain.

Which is the most common type of back surgery?

Part of your surgeon’s job is to identify potential problems. So talk it over before you head to the OR. Each type comes with its own risks and benefits. Spinal fusion. This is the most common surgery for chronic nonspecific back pain with degenerative changes. The doctor will join spinal bones, called vertebrae, together.