What is Failed Back Surgery Syndrome?
Surgery may seem like the only solution to find relief from a debilitating condition, but any invasive operation presents a host of potential complications. Beyond that, it can take months for a patient to recover, and the procedure may end up unsuccessful.
A review conducted in 2016 found nearly 75% of back surgeries did not completely relieve pain, and the percentage of cases that required an additional operation ranged from 13 to 35%.
Failed back syndrome is exactly what it sounds like: The result of unsuccessful back surgery or persistent back/neck pain after spine surgery. There are many aspects of back surgery that can go wrong, and even the best surgeons cannot guarantee a procedure’s success.
Failed back surgery can cause weakness, numbness, and tingling in your body, significantly decreasing your quality of life. People may rush to undergo back surgery in search of relief or put off medical care and suffer longer than needed. As America’s population continues to age, the number of back surgeries (and failed back surgeries) is increasing.
There are many factors that can increase a person’s risk of suffering from failed back surgery syndrome. Prior to having surgery, those risk factors include obesity, smoking, mental disorders, and poor planning. Factors that may induce a poor result during the surgery include operating on a single spot when multiple areas of the spine may be causing the pain, and whether the surgeon leaves too much or too little space around nerves in the lumbar region. After surgery, a patient may suffer from a recurrence of the original diagnosis, infection, nerve irritation, or other undesired outcomes.
Learn more about failed back surgery syndrome:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5106227/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5913031/
Treatment of Failed Back Surgery Syndrome
Therapies may help reduce pain and restore functionality, increasing a patient’s quality of life without the need for invasive surgery. Midwest Pain Solutions specializes in non-surgical treatments that focus on the body’s powerful, natural ability to heal itself.
We create customized care plans that often feature high-intensity laser treatments (HILT), a painless therapy pioneered at Midwest Pain Solutions. Chiropractic adjustments and other non-invasive treatments often complement the use of the laser.
We understand that back pain is a serious impediment to an enjoyable daily life, but we urge any prospective patient to avoid rushing to get invasive surgery that may not alleviate the problematic pain, or create new problems of its own. If you’re ready to explore non-invasive options with a history of results, contact Midwest Pain Solutions today to find out what personalized care can be like!
