Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS)

Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS) services offered in Worthington and Newark, OH

Back or leg pain can sometimes persist, return, or change after spine surgery. Sachida Manocha, MD, at Interventional Pain Center in Worthington and Newark, Ohio, evaluates persistent postsurgical pain to identify possible causes and determine which pain management treatments may help. Call Interventional Pain Center or schedule an appointment online today to benefit from a failed back surgery syndrome evaluation.

Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS) Q & A

What is failed back surgery syndrome?

Failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) describes persistent, recurrent, or new back or leg pain following one or more spine operations.

Pain may remain in the back or radiate into the buttocks and legs. Some people experience burning, tingling, numbness, weakness, or electric-shock-like sensations when spinal nerves are involved.

The name can be misleading because continued pain doesn’t necessarily mean that the surgery was performed incorrectly or failed to correct the intended problem. Experts have proposed the term persistent spinal pain syndrome type 2 (PSPS-T2) as a more precise description.

Why can pain continue after spine surgery?

Surgery may successfully address one spinal problem while another source of pain remains or develops later. Possible causes include:

Recurrent or remaining disc problems
Spinal stenosis
Scar tissue around nerve roots
Continued nerve irritation or damage
Problems with spinal fusion
Changes in nearby spinal joints or segments
An incorrect or incomplete identification of the original pain source

Several factors can occur together, which makes a detailed evaluation particularly important before further treatment.

How is failed back surgery syndrome assessed?

Dr. Manocha reviews your original condition, the previous surgery, your current symptoms, and how the pain has changed since your procedure. He also examines areas of tenderness and assesses your movement, strength, and sensation to detect signs of nerve involvement.

Existing or new imaging studies may help identify structural problems like recurrent disc herniation, narrowing around the nerves, or complications involving spinal fusion.

The goal is to determine whether a treatable structural cause exists and whether the pain comes primarily from joints, nerves, muscles, or another source.

Does failed back surgery syndrome require another operation?

Additional surgery may be appropriate when your evaluation identifies a specific structural problem that an operation could correct. However, many patients benefit from nonsurgical pain management instead.

For example, Dr. Manocha may use established interventional pain management techniques, such as radiofrequency ablation, when he identifies an appropriate pain-generating nerve.

Spinal cord stimulation may be suitable for selected patients with chronic neuropathic back or leg pain that hasn’t improved sufficiently with other treatments. The implanted system delivers electrical stimulation near the spinal cord to modify pain signaling. Patients usually complete a temporary stimulation trial before receiving a permanent device.

For persistent pain after back surgery, contact Interventional Pain Center to request an evaluation or schedule a consultation online today.