Surgery in cases of back pain is often kept as a last resort. The only time a doctor might recommend back pain surgery is when and if the other options, such as physical therapy, medications, and exercise, have not worked. Of course, back pain surgery proves to be an excellent solution for pain relief in some cases. However, the fact that the surgery only guarantees 50% success cannot be ignored.
If you had back surgery and the pain is still there, do not worry as you are not alone. Failed back surgery is very common and happens to most people who go through the treatment. You may feel helpless in such situations as surgery is usually the last treatment option. However, the Bayonne Pain Center of NJ offers various pain management therapies to fix the discomfort’s underlying cause.
What is Failed Back Surgery Syndrome?
Failed Back Surgery Syndrome is a relatively self-explanatory name. It refers to the situation where you receive surgical treatments for your back pain, but the process proves to be unsuccessful. Despite its name, FBSS is not a syndrome but a term used to address a failed back pain surgery.
FBSS is not a case of medical malpractice. A failed surgery does not mean the doctors had performed the treatment carelessly or incorrectly. Many people believe that their spine surgeon was not good enough and opt for another surgery by a different surgeon. However, these do not help as FBSS simply means that the treatment did not work on you.
Should you opt for further surgeries after a failed one?
Back pains can ruin the quality of your life, and failed back surgeries can be frustrating. Wanting to opt for another surgery to relieve yourself from the pain is natural. However, it simply would be a waste of money and time. Your chances of getting better decrease with each surgery session. The second, third, and fourth surgeries have success rates of 30%, 15%, and 5%. Therefore, it is often not recommended.
What can I do for my back pain after a failed surgery?
FBSS can be managed by targeting the sole underlying cause of your pain. Treatment options may include injections to reduce pain and inflammation. While these only offer temporary relief, you can use the period of relief to practice physical therapy. Physical therapy helps strengthen the soft tissues in your back and increase flexibility.
Some lifestyle changes, such as exercise, yoga, losing weight, and reducing stress, can help manage the pain.
