Failed Back Surgery Syndrome
-
- Tweet
Texas Star Pain & Spine
Gonzalo Gonzales, DO
Pain Management Specialist & Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Physician located in Plano, TX
When you’re still suffering from back pain after surgery, you need a pain management solution that works. Gonzalo Gonzales, Jr., MD at Texas Clinic Pain & Spine is a talented pain management specialist offering effective treatments for failed back surgery syndrome and other chronic pain conditions. If you live in Plano, Texas and are experiencing back pain after surgery, call the clinic or schedule an appointment online today.
Failed Back Surgery Syndrome Q & A
What is failed back surgery syndrome?
Failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) is a term used to describe back pain that wasn’t successfully treated with spine or back surgery. FBSS can also refer to back pain that has grown worse or new pain that has occurred as a result of your back surgery.
Symptoms of failed back surgery syndrome include:
- Continued, chronic pain
- Limited or reduced mobility
- Stabbing pain in your extremities
- New pain in a different part of the spine
You might also develop sciatica or numbness, tingling, burning, or weakness in your neck, arms, hands, or legs.
What causes back pain to continue after surgery?
Approximately 40% of patients who have traditional back surgeries experience FBSS. Common causes of FBSS pain include:
- Inaccurate diagnosis and treatment of pain source
- Limited success rates for specific back pain procedures
- Surgical procedures that weren’t thoroughly completed
- The development of scar tissue that creates new nerve problems
Back pain can also continue following surgery because of nerve damage. This can be due to the surgery or related to your original condition.
How do you treat FBSS?
When surgery fails to treat your chronic back pain, it can be challenging to find treatment solutions. Dr. Gonzales is an experienced pain specialist offering interventional treatments that target the source of your pain to ease your symptoms.
Epidural steroid injections
Epidural steroid injections are a conservative medical treatment involving shots of corticosteroids being injected into the epidural space.
The epidural space in the spinal canal is between the vertebrae walls and spinal cord. It contains blood vessels, fat cells, and nerves. When delivering anti-inflammatory medication to this area, it reduces inflammation at the nerve root to help ease the pain.
Spinal cord stimulator
A spinal cord stimulator (SCS) is a minimally invasive treatment option that blocks or modifies nerve activity in the brain using electronic currents.
This powerful neurostimulator device involves a tiny wire implanted in the epidural space. When connected to a battery, the device is controlled using a remote and mild electric current disrupt or completely block the pain messages going to the brain.
SCS therapy is a very effective treatment for chronic and severe neuropathic pain relief. Before implanting the device permanently, you can undergo a temporary SCS trial to see if it manages your pain.
If you have failed back surgery syndrome, call Texas Clinic Pain & Spine or schedule an appointment online to learn more about your pain management options.
