According to a study published in the medical journal Spine, 10 to 15% of the global population suffers from chronic back pain. Additionally, while approximately 900,000 Americans undergo surgery to correct back problems, not all of them live pain-free afterward.
Failed back surgery syndrome refers to the ongoing pain following spinal surgery. Are you potentially dealing with failed back syndrome in New York? Read on to discover what local professionals like New York Spine Specialist say about pain management options and general treatment recommendations.
Understanding Failed Back Surgery Syndrome
When excruciating back pain keeps you from living life to the fullest, you may decide to go under the knife for a permanent solution. Surgery is an increasingly popular option for back pain relief, with the number of cases more than doubling over a 15-year period, according to a report in Nagoya Journal of Medical Science. That same study finds that 68% of cases involve operating on the lumbar spine, while the cervical and thoracic spine are the focus in 23% and 9% of cases, respectively.
Not all patients experience relief following treatment, however. A study from the Journal of Clinical Neuroscience reports that 5.4% of patients receive a diagnosis of failed back syndrome within six months of their first procedure. The rate of affected patients increases to 8.4% within 12 months.
Not all patients experience relief following treatment, however. A study from the Journal of Clinical Neuroscience reports that 5.4% of patients receive a diagnosis of failed back syndrome within six months of their first procedure. The rate of affected patients increases to 8.4% within 12 months.
What Is Failed Back Syndrome?
FBSS holds that surgical patients continue to experience pain in the neck, back, or legs following a procedure. Pain may radiate, or tingling and numbness may occur.
Common causes of the continued pain include:
- Adjacent segment disease: This post-operative complication of spinal fusion surgery refers to vertebrae degenerating near the fused area.
- Improper surgical treatment: Mistakes made during spinal surgery may increase the risk of failed back syndrome.
- Poor post-operative care: Patients should follow their doctor’s instructions for healing from spinal surgery, such as proper rest and physical therapy.
Conservative Approaches To Healing Post-Surgical Back Pain
Doctors will assess the patient’s pain level and medical history to determine a possible cause. From there, the doctor may recommend a conservative approach like pain medications or physical therapy.
- NSAIDs, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, like aspirin and ibuprofen, relieve pain within the joints and spinal nerves.
- Physical therapy strengthens the spine with gentle stretches for effective pain management
If pain and spinal instability persist several months after spine surgery, New York residents should consult a qualified doctor like those at New York Spine Specialist.
Manage FBSS Pain With Minimally Invasive Treatments
Conservative measures may ease some failed back syndrome symptoms. Even so, some patients’ pain requires a more aggressive approach, such as:
- Prolotherapy: Doctors will inject an irritant into the area experiencing pain, kickstarting the body’s natural healing process.
- Radiofrequency ablation: Similar to prolotherapy, this technique involves hitting the affected nerves with enough radiofrequency energy to stop the pain.
- Spinal cord stimulation: This treatment plan focuses on masking spinal pain with electrical impulses sent to the nerve via an attached device.
- Trigger point injections: Inflamed nerves around the spine may flare up and cause pain to radiate. Trigger point injections aim to ease the pain by reducing inflammation.
Depending on your pain levels, the physicians will likely recommend combining treatments.
Consult a Qualified Spine Surgeon: New York Spine Specialist Can Treat Your Back Pain
Don’t let the pain from failed back syndrome prevent you from doing what you love. New York Spine Specialist can help you combat the symptoms with treatment options like prolotherapy, spinal cord stimulation, and more. We offer effective spinal stenosis treatment as well as minimally invasive treatment for issues like herniated discs, sciatica pain, and scoliosis.
Call New York Spine Specialist at (516) 355-0111 to schedule an appointment. Our doctors accept most insurance plans, including workers’ compensation, no-fault, and PIP (personal injury protection). Same-day appointments may be available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you want to learn more about failed back surgery syndrome and the available treatment options? Get answers to common patient questions below.
What Is Failed Back Syndrome?
Failed back syndrome refers to pain that persists or new pain showing up in the back or legs following spinal surgery.
What Causes Failed Back Surgery Syndrome?
Potential causes of failed back surgery syndrome include smoking, nerve damage, scar tissue, and back instability due to spinal stenosis or disc diseases.
How Can You Prevent a Failed Back Surgery Syndrome Diagnosis?
You can lower your chances of having failed back surgery syndrome by not smoking, reducing your stress level, and following all of your post-operative care and recovery instructions.