Failed Back Surgery Syndrome

Failed back surgery syndrome (also known as post-laminectomy syndrome) is a neuropathic pain condition in which there is severe, chronic pain in the back and/or legs after one or more operations on the spine. It is estimated to affect 20-40% patients who have had spine surgery, and the risk appears to increase with number of surgeries a patient has had. The term is not meant to imply that there was a problem with one of a patient's surgeries but rather that symptoms have persisted.

Clinical studies have suggested that additional corrective surgeries on the lumbar spine (e.g. fusions and laminectomies) are unlikely to improve symptoms in patients with features of failed back surgery syndrome. For patients who experience persistent, disabling pain despite medications, physical therapy, and injections, spinal cord stimulation can be an excellent therapy. Randomized controlled trials have supported the effectiveness of spinal cord stimulation for both back and leg pain. You can read more about spinal cord stimulation here.

If you live near Denver and have chronic back pain, please consider meeting me in consultation to learn about treatment options.