The main goal of spine surgery is usually to decompress a pinched nerve or to stabilize a problematic joint. If the surgery is unsuccessful at relieving pain and symptoms continue, or the surgery creates new problems, it is referred to as failed back surgery syndrome, failed back syndrome or post-laminectomy syndrome.

What is failed back surgery syndrome?

When you undergo spine surgery, the surgeon is attempting to eliminate the cause of your pain. If pain continues after surgery, the correct cause of pain may not have been identified, or there might be multiple factors contributing to your condition. It is also possible that the surgery created new problems. Factors that can increase your risk of developing failed back surgery syndrome include:

• Undergoing traditional open back surgery
• Surgery in the lumbar region of the spine
• Undergoing open spinal fusion
• Undergoing a more invasive procedure
• Surgeon failed to properly identify your condition
• Systemic disorder like diabetes or an autoimmune disease

Before undergoing spine surgery, make sure you have been properly diagnosed, you undergo minimally invasive surgery if you are a candidate and that your surgeon is experienced and properly trained. It is also important to follow the postoperative instructions after spine surgery to prevent any unnecessary complications postoperatively.

If you experience failed back surgery syndrome symptoms contact your physician

Symptoms of failed back surgery syndrome vary from patient to patient. Symptoms can include any combination of the following:

• Continued pain after spine surgery
• New pain after spine surgery
• Pain at the surgery site, or above or below the surgery site
• Muscle weakness or spasms
• Limited mobility or flexibility
• Pain that is dull, aching or sharp
• Pain in the extremities
• Anxiety or depression

If you experience any combination of the above symptoms after back surgery, or if surgery did not provide relief from existing symptoms, schedule an appointment with your surgeon or physician to determine if you have failed back surgery syndrome.

What should you do if you have failed back surgery syndrome?

If your physician or surgeon diagnoses you with failed back surgery syndrome the first step is to try conservative treatment options to relieve symptoms. If after a few months, symptoms persist, contact USA Spine Care to find out if you are a candidate for one of our minimally invasive spine surgeries to relieve the symptoms you are experiencing due to failed back surgery syndrome.

Contact USA Spine Care today to find out more about how our minimally invasive procedures can help with your pain.

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