Failed Back Surgery Syndrome

What is Failed Back Surgery?

Failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) is a term referring to the chronic and severe pain a patient can experience after unsuccessful surgery. Failed back surgery syndrome is not a syndrome at all, but the lack of success from a spine surgery. FBSS affects nearly 40 percent of patients who have had traditional open back or minimally invasive spine surgery. Often surgery is indicated for an identifiable source of pain due to pinched nerve root or an unstable and painful joint. However, back pain can have many causes and accurate identification of the source of pain can be complicated. Too often, x-ray and Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans do not correlate well with symptoms. Therefore, diagnostic injections are often warranted and assist in making the proper patient selection and spinal level for surgery.

Unfortunately, failed back surgery results has little to do with the experience and talents of a skilled spine surgeon and more to do with the fact that back pain is not as easy to identify the source of pain the way other pains are. While some spine surgeries are more predictable in relieving pain than others, it is based more on being able to identify the actual source of pain.

The best way to avoid unsuccessful back surgery results is to ensure that the actual source of pain has been identified and then opt for spine procedures that have been proven successful.

At International Spine Institute, we offer free MRI review to help identify the source of your neck, back or leg pain. We use least invasive spine procedures to help reduce pain caused by procedures and limit the trauma to spine structures. To find relief for your back pain, contact our talented spine surgeon today!