Failed Back or Neck Surgery

Failed Back or Neck Surgery.

When spinal stenosis, sciatica or other back pain continues after an open spine surgery, the patient's condition is called failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS). Failed neck surgery syndrome (FNSS) occurs when a patient continues to feel neck pain and/or arm pain following a traditional open neck surgery. Many factors can contribute to failed back or spine surgery, such as: inaccurate diagnosis, surgeon error or lack of skill, removal of too much or too little of the disc and supporting ligaments, hardware failure, or a bone graft that fuses incorrectly.

Symptoms of Failed Back or Neck Surgery Syndrome

Common symptoms of failed surgery syndrome are dull and aching pains in the area of the previous surgery and sharp or stabbing pains in the extremities. Physical symptoms are often coupled with emotional symptoms such as depression and anxiety Treatment Options for Failed Back or Neck Surgery Successful treatment of Failed Back or Neck Surgery must begin with an accurate diagnosis to truly understand the cause of the pain and why the original procedure failed.

Once diagnosed, Spine Centers of America's Board Certified Spine Surgeons begin with conservative treatments including targeted exercise, manual physical therapy, spinal cord stimulation, and/or possible upper or lower back pain solutions such as an implantable morphine pump.  

Many patients also experience permanent pain relief from a minimally invasive spine surgery called endoscopic facet rhizotomy. This low risk procedure requires only a tiny incision and enables patients to get back to life with minimal recovery time and freedom from chronic physical and emotional pain.