Are you recovering from back surgery and still experiencing abnormal, sharp pain? You are not alone. And most importantly, you are not imagining it. Failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) happens when patients live with persistent discomfort, even after a spinal surgical procedure.
Dr. Alvarez is a pain management specialist in Webster, Texas, and will work with you to address your physical ailments, but also manage the confusion and hopelessness the lack of relief might bring. If you’re still in pain months after your procedure, this guide will help you know what to look for and what to do next.
Dr. Alvarez is a founding partner of Space City Pain Specialists. He completed internship and residency programs at the University of Michigan School of Medicine in Ann Arbor, Michigan. A few short years later he decided to pursue an additional residency in Anesthesiology while subspecializing in Pain Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. For more than 20 years, he has been serving the Webster community with the most comprehensive pain management plans.
What is Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS)?
FBSS, failed back surgery syndrome, or post-laminectomy syndrome are all terms for describing persistent or worsening pain following spinal surgery. It is not a specific or formal diagnosis, as it does not necessarily respond to a surgical mistake or means the surgery “went wrong”.
Patients tend to experience pain that either returns or never fully goes away, numbness, tingling, limited mobility, and the sensations might be similar to those pre-surgery or entirely different.
Why Can I Be Experiencing FBSS?
Failed back surgery syndrome can happen because of multiple biological, structural, or even neurological factors.
In order to treat your pain accordingly, it’s important to identify the specific cause of your discomfort, which could be:
- Scar tissue formation around nerves
- Nerve damage during surgery
- Incomplete decompression of a nerve root
- Spinal instability
- Incorrect diagnosis pre-surgery
- And more
Is It FBSS or Just Normal Post-Surgery Pain?
Of course, you can expect some pain during your recovery from back surgery, and that does not mean that you’re dealing with FBSS.
Often, failed back surgery syndrome is characterized by sharp, burning, and shooting pain that lasts longer (persistent or worsening for more than 3 months), with constant decline, and might migrate to adjacent areas like your neck or legs.
Read more on how to differentiate FBSS pain from normal post-surgical pain.
5 Red Flags You Might be Dealing with FBSS
After any type of spine surgery, you must keep an eye out for any sign that’s different or lasts longer than what your doctor explained. These could involve:
- Persistent sciatica-like pain despite a “successful” surgery
- Numbness or tingling that does not improve
- Moving pain
- Increased need for pain medication more than 2 months after surgery
And while this might not be as easy to identify at first, repeated feelings of hopelessness or frustration can indicate that a chronic pattern is setting in.
What Dr. Alvarez Recommends If You Suspect FBSS
If you are already experiencing some of these symptoms, don’t wait any longer. The earlier we address this problem, the better your chances of having satisfactory outcomes.
Once you get to your pain specialist’s office, they will conduct a comprehensive evaluation that includes pain history, new imagining, and a physical exam for developing a better understanding of your situation.
From there, you will receive a tailored non-surgical treatment plan. Your doctor might decide to mix some of these options:
- Spinal cord stimulation
- Regenerative medicine
- Microdosing
- Mild® procedure
- Radiofrequency ablation
- Physical therapy
- And more
Will I Have to Undergo Surgery Again?
At Space City Pain, we will do everything in our power so you don’t have to enter the O.R. again. While at first it might seem like a quick solution, most of the time it represents higher risks without the guarantee of results.
Additionally, you have to keep in mind that suffering from FBSS doesn’t necessarily mean that the surgery was poorly done.
We want to treat your pain, not just your spine. We have seen first-hand how patients find long-term relief with a comprehensive, holistic pain management plan without additional surgeries.
Our Approach at Space City Pain
We know how frustrating and confusing it can be dealing with back pain after spinal surgery. If you seek professional care, you will learn about all the available possibilities to enjoy a happier life. We will make sure to take the best care of you so you can kiss your worries goodbye and re-find comfort in your own body!
Our board certified healthcare providers have made Space City Pain a pioneer in pain management in the community since 2004. Our friendly, bilingual, and highly specialized staff excels at providing pain relief to patients. If you are looking to get back to your old self and a pain-free life, book an appointment by calling 281-338-4443 or send us a message online today.
We don’t manage pain, we treat it.
