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Failed Back Surgery Syndrome
Les Payne
September 12, 2023
Pain That Persists (or worsens) After Back Surgery
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Here is what you can expect from today’s edition:
What is Failed Back Surgery Syndrome
How to manage the pain from Failed Back Surgery Syndrome
News: New non-addictive pain medication in early trials
What is Failed Back Surgery Syndrome
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Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS), also known as post-laminectomy syndrome, is a condition that can develop after a person undergoes spine surgery, specifically laminectomy, laminotomy or fusion procedures. These surgeries are performed to relieve symptoms caused by conditions like spinal stenosis, herniated discs, or other spinal abnormalities by removing a portion of the vertebral bone (lamina) to create more space for the spinal nerves or to access and treat the underlying problem.
However, in some cases, despite the surgical intervention, patients continue to experience persistent or recurring back pain, neck pain, leg pain (sciatica), or other symptoms. Failed Back Surgery Syndrome encompasses a range of symptoms and complications that may arise following these surgeries. These can include:
Persistent neck or back pain
Persistent pain, numbness, and tingling radiating into the arms or legs
Nerve damage
Instability in the spine
Pain and degeneration of the spinal levels above and/or below the surgical level(s)
Continue reading to discover some ways that Failed Back Surgery Syndrome can be managed.
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Managing Failed Back Surgery Syndrome
The management of Failed Back Surgery Syndrome typically involves a multimodal approach, which may include treatments such as:
Conservative measures like rest, icing and heating
Medications like nerve pain medications, muscle relaxers, opioid pain medications
Interventional treatments like epidural steroid injections, nerve blocks and radiofrequency ablation
Spinal cord stimulation
Additional spine surgery
If you have had back or neck surgery and are having continued or recurrent pain, ask your doctor if they think you could have Failed Back Surgery Syndrome. Ask them if you might be a candidate for any of the treatments listed above.
Continue following along with this newsletter to learn more about all of the treatments listed above and more!
In the news…
A new non-addictive pain medication is in early trials. See the news story below to find out more.
In case you missed it…
Resources
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About the Author
Les is an invaluable member of the team! He is the Lead Writer for the Field Guide to Back and Neck Pain newsletter. However, Les Payne is just a Pen Name to protect the identity of our expert Lead Writer who is an actively practicing, board-certified expert in the treatment and prevention of back and neck pain as well as other acute and chronic pain conditions. He has years of experience in this field and has treated over 15,000 patients with pain of all kinds!
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