The goal of back surgery is to address pain and restore function — but sometimes, it doesn’t deliver the expected result. Failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) is ongoing back pain that persists or starts after you’ve healed from spinal surgery.
Experiencing FBSS doesn’t necessarily mean the initial surgery was performed incorrectly. It may be that expected pain relief wasn’t fully achieved or that the pain shifted, persisted, or even worsened. Regardless of the cause, FBSS is more common than many people realize, and there is a path forward.
Eric Fanaee, MD, and our team specialize in addressing back pain, and we take a multidisciplinary approach to pain management. Here’s what you need to know about FBSS and what comes next if you’re experiencing more pain than anticipated following spine surgery.
Spine surgery can be a successful way to stop chronic back pain and improve mobility, but it doesn’t always work for everyone. There are several reasons why spinal surgery may not fully resolve pain or may unintentionally pave the way for new symptoms:
For example, scar tissue (epidural fibrosis) can irritate or tether nerves and cause new or worsening nerve pain. Adjacent segment degeneration is a condition that occurs when fused spinal vertebrae put extra stress on neighboring segments.
Sometimes, persistent nerve compression, residual disc issues, or hardware problems may remain unaddressed after surgery or even develop later. Other contributing factors include misdiagnosis, nerve damage, or the natural progression of spinal degeneration.
Reevaluating persistent pain begins with a comprehensive clinical review and imaging to pinpoint the source. With Dr. Fanaee, you undergo detailed assessments, including a physical examination, diagnostic scans, and movement observations to guide a truly personalized plan.
Whenever possible, we focus on conservative, symptom-targeted treatments before considering additional surgery. Some effective nonsurgical treatments for FBSS are:
Dr. Fanaee discusses treatment options with you to help you make an informed decision, and we monitor your pain levels as you move through treatment. If conservative measures aren’t enough, it might be time to consider more advanced treatments, like spinal cord stimulation or revision surgery.
If your pain persists after spinal surgery, you’re not out of options. Dr. Fanaee and our team are here to evaluate what’s really going on and help you find a path forward that focuses on relief, mobility, and restoring your quality of life.
Schedule a consultation today at one of our offices in Copiague, Smithtown, and West Islip, New York, to start exploring your treatment options for failed back surgery syndrome.
