Treatment for Failed Back Syndrome

What Is Failed Back Syndrome?

When non-surgical treatment options have been exhausted and are not working, neurosurgeons may recommend surgery. Most back surgeries provide relief of pain and can be considered successful. Unfortunately, there can be pre-operative factors or complications after the surgery that lead to new chronic pain.

Sometimes called failed fusion syndrome or failed back surgery syndrome, these labels refer to spinal pain that persists after surgery or new pain that appears after surgery. These conditions may require further diagnosis and new treatment plans. At NU-Spine, Dr. Skovrlj and the medical team use a variety of procedures to provide treatments for failed back syndrome and other spine conditions, including:

• Cervical kyphosis
• Post-laminectomy syndrome
• Lumbar slipped disc
• Spondylosis

Dr. Skovrlj is an accomplished neurosurgeon who has the dedication, education, and experience to help identify the source of back pain. After an initial diagnosis, a treatment plan is devised to help restore mobility and reduce pain. This can include nonsurgical and surgical solutions, depending on the individual circumstances of the patient.

What Are the Reasons for Failed Back Syndrome?

Failed back syndrome occurs for several reasons. Through advanced diagnostic techniques and testing, the medical team at NU-Spine works to find the cause of the pain and provide options for treatment. Here are some of the reasons that back surgery may fail:

• Damage to the root of the spinal nerve
• Progressive disease, including disc herniation
• Bone fusion or implant failure
• Post-operative spinal infection
• Post-operative epidural fibrosis
• Scar tissue formation
• Development of myofascial pain
• Spinal stenosis
• Smoking
• Newly developing spinal instability
• Hypermobility of joints
• Inappropriate past treatments
• Social and lifestyle factors

The medical team at NU-Spine can help patients reduce or modify behaviors that are detrimental to the healing process. Through careful examination and planning, spine specialists can help reduce pain and encourage restoration and healing of the spine after surgery.

How to Avoid Failed Back Syndrome

Spine surgery is complex, so patients should seek the assistance of an experienced, highly trained, and board-certified physician. The founder and lead surgeon at NU-Spine, Dr. Skovrlj meets these criteria. He encourages patients with failed back syndrome to consult with the medical team for help returning to their usual lifestyle and activities.

NU-Spine works to reduce painful spine conditions, including the following:

• Lower back sprain
• Lumbar radiculopathy
• Sacroiliac joint disease
• Lumbar slipped disc
• Lumbar degenerative disc disease
• Pars defect
• Cervical facet syndrome
• Cervical stenosis

NU-Spine encourages all patients with back pain to consult with more than one surgeon when considering spine surgery. Patients should examine the records and experience of medical practitioners and make sure they get the best care possible.

Is Failed Back Syndrome a Disability?

Chronic back pain can become a disability, especially in the lower back or lumbar area of the spine. Stop back pain and the danger of it creating a long-term disability. Patients can seek treatment from a qualified spine specialist at NU-Spine, especially if they are experiencing any of these symptoms or circumstances often related to back pain:

• Depression, anxiety, irritability, and other mood disorders
• Inability to maintain employment or employability
• Limited mobility and activities
• Reduced quality of life
• Disrupted sleep patterns or insomnia
• Bowel and bladder problems

Back pain can affect relationships, economic stability, social life, and overall health. If patients have previously undergone spine surgery and now are experiencing failed back syndrome, they can find the help they need at NU-Spine.

Can Failed Back Syndrome Be Cured?

There are continuing advances in spinal treatments and medical technology. NU-Spine uses state-of-the-art equipment to help determine diagnoses and provide treatment options. The medical team is qualified to treat complicated spinal dysfunction, to significantly reduce or eliminate back pain.

When patients visit NU-Spine, the medical team takes a careful physical and medical history, examining all the variables of the condition. The evaluation may include imaging and other tests to determine the specifics of the problem and how it is causing pain.

When patients come to NU-Spine with failed back syndrome, Dr. Skovrlj may first address it with non-surgical techniques, including physical therapy, medications, injections of steroids, and radiofrequency ablation. If further treatment is required, NU-Spine offers several minimally invasive spinal surgery options.

• Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS): An implanted device sends electrical impulses into the spinal cord. This can help relieve pain, including that of failed back syndrome.
• Revision Surgery: NU-Spine utilizes revision spine surgery to correct a previous surgery or continue a series of treatments for spinal deformities.
• Lumbar Decompression: Also called laminectomy, this minimally invasive surgical procedure helps relieve pressure on the spinal cord in the mid-back region. By altering the structure of vertebrae that are causing pain, lumbar decompression can reduce pain.
• Corpectomy: A corpectomy is a surgical procedure that removes vertebrae and damaged discs to relieve painful spine conditions.
• XLIF/X-LIF Extreme Lateral Interbody Fusion: XLIF is a technique that approaches from the side of the body. It can be used to reduce bleeding and nerve damage. This technique can also shorten recovery time.

At NU-Spine: The Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery, Dr. Skovrlj and his team understand that failed back syndrome can be discouraging. After deciding to undergo back surgery, patients are still experiencing old pain, or have developed new pain. This state of being can have serious ramifications for one’s lifestyle, health, and interactions at home and work. NU-Spine is dedicated to reducing the back pain patients experience, regardless of previous treatments or surgeries.

Branko Skovrlj, MD, is here to help patients recover and resume their regular activities. Offices are located throughout New Jersey in Paramus, Woodbridge, Toms River, Jersey City, and Holmdel. For an initial consultation, contact us today.