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Kyle, TX 78640
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Failed back surgery syndrome, sometimes called post-laminectomy syndrome, is a generalized term used to describe persistent lumbar spinal pain of unknown origin that either continues despite surgical intervention or develops in the same area following back surgery. The term failed back surgery syndrome does not imply that a surgical error occurred; rather, it acknowledges that back surgery does not always achieve the expected level of pain relief.
Failed back surgery syndrome is broadly defined, which can make its incidence difficult to pinpoint. Estimates suggest that between 10% and 40% of patients who undergo back surgery go on to experience continued pain or new pain after the procedure. Patients who undergo more complex spinal surgery, such as lumbar fusions, face higher rates of developing failed back surgery syndrome, with some reports placing failure rates between 30% and 46%. Microdiscectomy procedures have been associated with failure rates in the range of 19% to 25%. Understanding these risk factors is important for anyone considering or recovering from lumbar spine surgery.
Failed back surgery syndrome affects the body in ways that closely resemble the chronic low back pain that may have originally led to surgery. The pain can range from a dull, aching pain involving the lower back to sharp, radiating discomfort that extends into the legs. Back and leg pain that persists or worsens after a procedure can significantly limit mobility, making everyday activities, work responsibilities, and participation in the community more difficult.
Common symptoms associated with failed back syndrome include:
Other symptoms can vary depending on the underlying cause of the back surgery syndrome. Because failed back surgery syndrome can affect both physical function and emotional well-being, a multidisciplinary approach to pain management is often the most effective path forward.
Failed back surgery syndrome affects the body in ways that closely resemble the chronic low back pain that may have originally led to surgery. The pain can range from a dull, aching pain involving the lower back to sharp, radiating discomfort that extends into the legs. Back and leg pain that persists or worsens after a procedure can significantly limit mobility, making everyday activities, work responsibilities, and participation in the community more difficult.
Common symptoms associated with failed back syndrome include:
Other symptoms can vary depending on the underlying cause of the back surgery syndrome. Because failed back surgery syndrome can affect both physical function and emotional well-being, a multidisciplinary approach to pain management is often the most effective path forward.
Treating FBSS typically requires a comprehensive approach, combining conservative treatments with interventional procedures based on the individual patient's history, diagnostic tests, and treatment goals. A well-structured treatment plan can help relieve pain, improve quality of life, and reduce reliance on pain medication over time.
Conservative treatments are often the starting point for managing failed back syndrome. Your care team may recommend physical therapy to help restore muscle strength, improve mobility, and address contributing musculoskeletal factors. Medications may also be incorporated into a treatment plan and can include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, gabapentinoids, anticonvulsants, antidepressants, and muscle relaxants, depending on the nature of the pain and the patient's overall health. Psychological support, including counseling or behavioral health services, may also be coordinated as part of a multidisciplinary approach. GAPC can refer patients to physical therapy and psychological support providers as appropriate.
When conservative treatments do not provide sufficient relief, interventional procedures may be recommended. GAPC's Kyle clinic offers a range of interventional options for treating FBSS, including:
Spinal cord stimulation in particular has a strong evidence base for treating FBSS and is often considered when other treatments have not provided adequate relief. The goal of each intervention is reducing pain and improving daily function, with the aim of avoiding additional surgery whenever possible. The right treatment plan depends on the specific causes of a patient's back surgery syndrome, their prior surgical history, and the results of diagnostic tests performed at evaluation.
The first step is contacting Greater Austin Pain Center's Kyle location to schedule a consultation. GAPC is currently accepting new patients. You can schedule online or call our office at (512) 298-1645. During scheduling, you'll have the opportunity to share basic information about your surgical history and current symptoms so the care team can prepare for your visit.
At your initial appointment, a pain management specialist will conduct a thorough review of your spine surgery history, prior imaging, and current pain patterns. Diagnostic tests may be ordered to better characterize the source of your continued pain, whether it involves scar tissue, adjacent segment disease, recurrent disc herniation, or another cause. This evaluation is the foundation for an accurate and individualized treatment plan.
Based on your evaluation, your care team will develop a treatment plan that reflects the specific causes and characteristics of your failed back surgery syndrome. This plan may combine conservative treatments such as coordinated physical therapy or pain medication management with interventional procedures including epidural injections, nerve blocks, radiofrequency ablation, or spinal cord stimulation. The approach is designed to relieve pain and improve function without defaulting to revision surgery whenever non-surgical options remain available.
Managing failed back syndrome is often a long-term process, and GAPC's care does not end after the first procedure or visit. Follow-up appointments allow the care team to assess how well treatments are working, adjust the treatment plan as needed, and coordinate additional support such as psychological support or referrals for physical therapy. Patients are encouraged to communicate openly about changes in their symptoms so the team can respond promptly.
"Dr. Jarzembeck is AMAZING. I HIGHLY recommend her for anyone suffering in pain. She goes above and beyond to make sure her patients pain has been dealt with."
"Everyone is so friendly and helpful, Dr. Bednar came to me and explained the procedure and answered my questions. Highly recommend!"
"Dr. Julia is the best! The staff is professional and friendly to all. Best of all, Dr. Julia is finding solutions for my chronic pain! Never thought that it would be possible. It's a journey for me, but it seems like there is a solution."
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Failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS), also called post-laminectomy syndrome, is a generalized term for persistent lumbar spinal pain of unknown origin that either remains after back surgery or develops in the same area following a procedure. It does not necessarily indicate a surgical error, but rather that the surgery did not achieve the expected level of pain relief.
The most common symptoms of failed back surgery syndrome include persistent low back pain that does not resolve after surgery, new pain that develops at or near the surgical site, back and leg pain with possible radiating discomfort into the lower extremities, muscle spasm, and numbness or weakness. Sleep disruption and mood changes related to chronic pain are also frequently reported.
Risk factors for developing failed back surgery syndrome include preoperative psychological factors such as anxiety and depression, obesity, smoking, a history of multiple prior back surgeries, and being an inappropriate surgical candidate based on imaging findings. Intraoperative and postoperative factors such as epidural fibrosis, recurrent disc herniation, adjacent segment disease, and surgical complications at the surgical site can also contribute. Patients who undergo lumbar fusions face a higher risk compared to those undergoing less complex procedures.
Yes. GAPC offers a range of conservative treatments and interventional procedures that can help manage failed back surgery syndrome without the need for additional surgery. Options such as epidural injections, nerve blocks, radiofrequency ablation, and spinal cord stimulation are commonly used to relieve pain and improve function. Whether revision surgery is appropriate depends on the specific cause of the pain and is a decision made collaboratively between the patient and their care team.
GAPC's Kyle clinic offers several interventional procedures for treating FBSS, including epidural injections, nerve blocks, radiofrequency ablation, spinal cord stimulators, and peripheral nerve stimulation. Spinal cord stimulation in particular has a well-established evidence base for failed back surgery syndrome. The most appropriate procedure depends on the patient's individual history, diagnostic test results, and treatment plan goals.
Not entirely. While careful patient selection, thorough preoperative evaluation, and addressing modifiable risk factors such as smoking or obesity before surgery may reduce the likelihood of developing failed back surgery syndrome, some long-term complications following back surgery are difficult to predict or avoid. If you are experiencing continued pain after spinal surgery, a pain management specialist can help identify contributing factors and develop an appropriate treatment plan.
Curious about interventional pain treatments in Austin, TX? Join our doctors for an in-person lunch and learn session to find out more about these treatments and ask any questions you may have. This event will be 12–1pm, sign up below to receive more details and RSVP.
If you are living with persistent spinal pain after back surgery, the team at Greater Austin Pain Center is here to help. Call us at (512) 298-1645 or schedule online to request a consultation at our Kyle clinic. GAPC also serves patients across the region through offices in Austin, San Marcos, and Dripping Springs.
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