Has an Operation Failed
Failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS), also known as post-laminectomy syndrome, refers to the chronic back and/or leg pain that is not relieved by – or occurs as a result of – spinal surgery. Up to 40% of patients who undergo traditional open back surgery suffer from FBSS.
Causes & Risk Factors
- POOR PREOPERATIVE PATIENT SELECTION, INCLUDING FAILURE TO DIAGNOSE THE CONDITION.
- FAILURE TO ADEQUATELY TREAT THE CONDITION.
- INADEQUATE DECOMPRESSION OF A NERVE ROOT.
- TECHNICAL ERROR DURING SURGERY.
- SCAR TISSUE FORMATION.
- NERVE DAMAGE.
Symptoms
- SEVERE PAIN.
- CHRONIC PAIN OR CONSTANT PAIN.
- INABILITY TO FIND A COMFORTABLE POSITION TO ALLEVIATE YOUR PAIN.
Diagnosis
- PHYSICAL EXAMS: DURING A PHYSICAL EXAM, A PATIENT’S POSTURE, GAIT, AND RANGE OF MOTION WILL BE EVALUATED – AS WILL ANY ASYMMETRY, DEFORMITY, OR CURVATURE OF THE SPINE. PALPATION ALONG THE SPINE MAY REVEAL AREAS OF LOCALIZED TENDERNESS FROM PRIOR SURGERY, AND A COMPLETE NEUROVASCULAR AND MUSCULOSKELETAL EXAM MAY BE USED TO RULE OUT ALL POSSIBLE CAUSES OF SYMPTOMS OTHER THAN FBSS.
- TESTING: AN MRI OR CT SCAN CAN BE PERFORMED TO EVALUATE PERSISTING NERVE COMPRESSION OR OTHER DISC DISEASE AND TO RULE OUT INFECTION OR TUMOR. LAB STUDIES CAN ALSO BE PERFORMED TO INCLUDE BLOOD WORK TO DETECT INFECTION.
Failed Back Surgery Syndrome Treatments
At PMIR Medical Center, we understand that pain is a complex condition that affects the whole person – body, mind, and spirit. We provide a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to treatment, customizing the most effective treatment plans for our patients and empowering them to become collaborative partners in their recovery process.
