What is Failed Back Surgery Syndrome?
Failed Back Surgery Syndrome or FBSS is the condition in which the patient starts suffering severe pain his back after undergoing a back surgery. It is often the result of a failed surgical procedure which was intended to relieve the back pain suffered by the patient, but instead ends up aggravating it.
What Causes Failed Back Surgery Syndrome?
The main purpose behind any back surgery is either to stabilize a joint that is causing pain to the patient or to decompress a nerve that is being squeezed by a joint. Any complication that occurs during a spin surgery can result in Failed Back Surgery Syndrome. Besides this, there are many factors that can cause FBSS. Some of these factors are:
What Treatment Plans Help with Failed Back Surgery Syndrome?
In the initial phase, the best treatment method for Failed Back Surgery Syndrome is anti-inflammatory pain medication. These can help in alleviating the pain. However, if the pain is relentless and cannot be controlled with NSAIDs then minor nerve blocks can be used for reducing the pain.
Center for the Study and Treatment of Pain suggests that the use of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) is also among the treatment options that can help in minimizing the pain suffered by a patient suffering from FBSS. TENS is a device that can reduce back pain by stopping the pain signals from reaching the brain.
What is the Prognosis of Failed Back Surgery Syndrome?
Failed Back Surgery Syndrome is a common problem that is faced by patients who have recently had a spinal surgery. It can be caused due to a number of reasons and there are many treatment options available that can be used for alleviating the pain associated with this condition.
Resources
“Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS): What It Is and How to Avoid Pain after Surgery.” Spine-health. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Sept. 2014.
“Failed Back Surgery Syndrome | Center for the Study and Treatment of Pain at NYULMC.” Failed Back Surgery Syndrome | Center for the Study and Treatment of Pain at NYULMC. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Sept. 2014.