Failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) is not actually a syndrome; rather, it is a general term used to describe the situation in which a spinal surgery patient fails to see a reduction in the pain their surgery was supposed to treat, or the patient experiences new symptoms after surgery. FBSS can be immensely frustrating and painful to deal with – both physically and emotionally – as the high expectations of a spinal surgery can give way to symptoms that don’t improve, or even potentially get worse.
How is it Caused?
FBSS can result from a number of different complications that can arise in the aftermath of spinal surgery. Surgeries that might lead to FBSS might be artificial disc replacement, spinal fusion, and other open back or neck surgeries. Complications can include:
- Nerve damage
- Scar tissue formation
- Issues with hardware inserted into the spine
- Spinal fusion failure
- Inadequate nerve decompression
- Infection
- And more
Symptoms
Regardless of the cause of failed back surgery syndrome, the resulting symptoms can be especially painful and debilitating – in some cases even worse than the original problems the surgery aimed to treat. These can include:
- Chronic pain
- Limited mobility
- New spinal conditions
- Trouble recuperating
- Depression and/or anxiety
- Dependency on pain medications
- And more
The only way to truly avoid FBSS would be to not have an open back surgery in the first place. However, this isn’t always an easy choice for patients who have failed to see results from nonsurgical treatment options and are faced with the choice of having surgery – which may or may not improve their condition – or living with their back pain. Whether you’ve already had a failed back surgery, or you are interested in learning how a minimally invasive procedure can help ease your pain without the risks of FBSS, contact Laser Spine Institute today. Tens of thousands of patients have benefited from our revolutionary endoscopic procedures that can safely and effectively help you rediscover your life without neck or back pain.
