Failed Back Surgery Syndrome, or FBSS, can develop when new complications arise after a spinal surgery or when the underlying source of the pain isn’t fully addressed. Understanding the causes of failed back surgery is crucial for both prevention and treatment.
After surgery, the body naturally creates some scar tissue as part of the healing process. However, this can sometimes create excessive scar tissue around the spinal cord and the nerve roots. This fibrous tissue can bind to and compress nerves, creating pain that can be worse than the original symptoms. Unlike the initial disc or bone compression, scar tissue is more difficult to remove surgically.
Sometimes a surgery can successfully address one problem area but leaves other pain generators untouched. Ongoing spinal stenosis, residual disc fragments, or missed herniated discs at adjacent levels, can continue to cause symptoms. Additionally, sacroiliac joint dysfunction or facet joint arthritis may have been contributing to the original pain, but weren’t diagnosed beforehand or addressed during the initial procedure.
Technical complications during surgery can create new sources of pain. These include infection, poor wound healing, nerve damage from surgical instruments, or problems with implanted hardware like screws, rods, or artificial discs. Hardware can loosen, break, or cause adjacent segment disease where increased stress on surrounding spinal levels leads to accelerated degeneration, causing pain, stiffness, and other issues.
In some cases, the original diagnosis may have been incorrect or incomplete. Some unique conditions like complex regional pain syndrome, fibromyalgia, or psychological factors contributing to pain may not respond to structural surgical repairs. Additionally, some patients can have multiple overlapping conditions that require comprehensive treatment beyond a single surgical intervention.
If your pain worsens or persists after spinal surgery, consult one of our providers as soon as possible, especially if it limits your mobility or daily activities.
Our team at New York Pain Medicine Associate thoroughly reviews your surgical history and diagnostic imaging and conducts physical exams to identify the cause of your ongoing pain.
Our pain management experts in Manhattan, The Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Hempstead, New York, are committed to helping patients find relief and regain control of their everyday lives. If you think you are experiencing symptoms of failed back surgery syndrome, do not hesitate to get in touch with our specialists.
To learn more about your treatment options, call New York Pain Medicine Associate or book an appointment with us online.