Failed Back Surgery Syndrome
About Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS)
Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS) is a general term that is used to describe the condition patients suffer from when they have not had a successful result with surgery on the spine. FBSS describes the chronic back, neck, arm or leg pain that fails to respond to surgery or returns following a period of relief following surgery. Many factors can affect the results of spine surgery. It is possible that the “pain generator” addressed by your back surgery wasn’t the only one causing your pain symptoms and that other pain generators have not been adequately treated. Sometimes, surgery causes scar tissue which can entrap nerves at the operative site resulting in the return of arm and leg symptoms for which the surgery was originally performed. Fusion surgery where two spinal segments are fused together can, over time, cause painful degeneration at the disc levels above or below the fusion level resulting in the return of back and neck pain.
Symptoms of Failed Back Surgery Syndrome
The most common symptoms of Failed Back Surgery Syndrome include familiar diffuse aching pain involving the back and neck that may be chronically dull with episodes of sharp stabbing, intense pain with activity. A throbbing ‘toothache-like’ pain in the arm or leg that is associated with tingling, numbness and weakness is common.
Traditional Treatment for Failed Back Surgery Syndrome
Sometimes it might be possible for some patients to get pain relief from Failed Back Surgery Syndrome with modification and restriction of physical activities along with physical therapy to help you build strength and flexibility. For others, facet joint injections or repeat epidural injections may be helpful in minimizing the discomfort and pain. Back braces can be helpful to lessen pain during strenuous activity but are rarely helpful and are poorly tolerated in day-to-day activity. Repeat surgery can be helpful for arm and leg pain especially from recurrent disc protrusions but rarely, if ever, provide relief for persistent back or neck pain.
To learn more and get help for Failed Back Surgery Syndrome please Schedule an Appointment with Regenerative Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Specialist Daniel Southern, M.D. in Danbury or Wilton in Fairfield County Connecticut by calling 203-456-5717.
Regenerative Orthopedic Medicine Treatment for Failed Back Surgery Syndrome
Regenexx® Procedures provide non-surgical treatment options for those suffering from pain related to osteoarthritis, joint injuries, spine pain, overuse conditions, and common sports injuries. These medical procedures are only performed by highly-skilled doctors and are used to help reduce pain and improve function. Regenexx procedures have helped thousands of patients improve their quality of life, return to the activities they enjoy, and avoid the need for surgery or joint replacement*.
Regenexx Physicians represent a very selective, highly-skilled, interventional orthobiologics network that is 100% focused on orthopedic conditions. All Regenexx physicians are musculoskeletal experts with extensive training and experience in the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal conditions, as well as complex, image-guided injections of your body's own healing agents to treat orthopedic issues. Regenexx patient outcomes are tracked in a registry and with that information, we provide transparent outcome data (below) for those who may be considering this treatment option.
Want to find out if you are a Regenexx Candidate? Complete the Candidate Form.