Persistent or chronic back pain may be more common than you think. It is so common that it affects about eighty percent of Americans at a certain point in their lives. This makes chronic back pain one of the most disabling conditions in the world. About twenty-five percent of work injuries are related to back pain, which leads to missed workdays and expensive doctor visits. Chronic back pain can result in a painful cycle that affects their daily lives and their mental and physical health. Patients typically resort to spine surgery in order to alleviate their spine-related discomfort. However, surgery doesn’t always solve their problem; 20% to 40% of operations create complications that cause continued pain after surgery. These complications lead to Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS).
Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS)
Failed Back Surgery Syndrome is a new or persistent pain following spine surgery. The name of this syndrome, however, can be misleading – back surgery complications aren’t always the culprit of recurring pain. Although this condition can result from failed surgery, the term merely refers to those experiencing pain surgery.
Common conditions that cause FBSS include spinal fusions, disc removals, and herniated disc operations. These operations can cause pain in other parts of the body or can be defective, leading to spine pain. FBSS can appear immediately after surgery, or it can sneak up on its victim and appear months after the procedure. Either way, FBSS is a serious and real condition. With that being said, there are a number of ways to treat it.
Treatment
Many patients resort to surgery, however, this is not always the best option. Surgical procedures, such as spinal fusions, can further complicate FBSS. The likelihood of experiencing pain increases after repeated surgery. Second or third procedures carry the same risks as the first surgery. In addition, after a second procedure, issues could arise and cause pain in another part of the spine. In fact, only about 32% of patients are completely satisfied with the outcome of revision surgery.
We encourage you to think through your options before committing to surgery. There are many choices for treatment, such as injections, nerve blocks, and physical therapy or strength training programs. A more advanced procedure, called radio-frequency neurotomy, can heal your nerve endings and temporarily block the pain. You have plenty of options to consider before you decide whether surgery is your best choice.
FBSS is a common condition that people experience after they undergo spine surgery. There are many ways to treat FBSS, so you should weigh all of your options before you undergo revision surgery. Talk to your local spine surgeon to explore the right option for you.
