Undergoing spine surgery can be an overwhelming thought, and if you’re researching the potential risks and benefits of spine surgery, you have probably come across the term “failed back surgery syndrome.” Failed back surgery syndrome is a risk often associated with traditional open back surgery, though it is still an uncommon side effect. This condition describes any new or returning pain or symptoms after the back surgery is completed.

While it is important to understand what failed back surgery syndrome is, it is also important to recognize that this side effect does not happen to everyone and that there are ways to lower your risk of complication, such as choosing a minimally invasive surgery over a traditional open back procedure. By understanding what causes failed back surgery syndrome, you can make an informed choice about the best treatment option for your needs.

Nerve damage and excessive scar tissue can cause failed back surgery syndrome

One way failed back surgery syndrome can occur is if a nerve is damaged during the spine surgery. While this can happen during any type of surgery, the risk is relatively small. However, choosing to undergo a traditional open back surgery puts you at a greater risk of this type of complication due to the highly invasive methods used during the procedure. For example, a large incision is used to access the spine. This incision cuts, tears and sometimes detaches the muscles surrounding the spine. This can lead to nerve damage and even excessive scar tissue that can compress a nerve root after surgery is complete.

Lower your risk of developing failed back surgery syndrome

Patients who choose to undergo minimally invasive spine surgery at USA Spine Care have a lower risk of developing failed back surgery syndrome due to the smaller incision and muscle-sparing techniques used during surgery. These methods also allow our patients to benefit from a shorter recovery time^{^} comparatively.

To learn more about our minimally invasive spine surgery, contact USA Spine Care today. You can receive a no-cost MRI review* and find out if you are a potential candidate for one of our procedures.

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