Failed Back Surgery Syndrome

Failed Back Surgery Syndrome

(Post-Laminectomy Syndrome)

Failed back surgery syndrome is a chronic pain condition that involves back and or leg pain. It can occur or persist following seemingly successful back surgery.

The back pain from failed back surgery syndrome is often described as severe and never-ending. The pain can also worsen throughout the day. Statistics show that of the 200,000 back surgeries performed each year, 20 to 40 percent result in various degrees of failed back surgery syndrome.

The most common complications of failed back surgery syndrome and post-laminectomy syndrome are scarring (epidural fibrosis) and adhesions, which damages nerve roots through compression.

The treatment plan for failed back surgery syndrome and post-laminectomy syndrome depends upon many factors, such as the severity of the dysfunction and pain, the type and location of the pain, as well as patient’s age, ongoing medical conditions, and ability to tolerate other medical therapies. The doctor will take all of these factors into consideration when prescribing a treatment plan for this condition.

In general, the standard course of therapy for the pain that accompanies failed back surgery syndrome will follow the chronic pain treatment continuum. Treatments may include pain medications and physical therapy, nerve blocks. Neuromodulation therapies such as neurostimulation — particularly spinal cord stimulation — may also be an option to treat unresolved neuropathic pain.

New Treatments

Percutaneous (through the skin) approaches to taking down adhesions and scar tissue are getting widespread acceptance among interventional pain specialists. There are a number of different techniques that could result in nerve root decompression and pain relief.

Patients with scar tissue around their nerves now have more options for treatment.