What Do We Know About "Failed Back Surgery Syndrome"?

Patients who don't get better after back surgery may be diagnosed with "failed back surgery syndrome". They either don't get any pain relief or there's not enough relief of pain to improve function or quality of life. About 80,000 people in the United States fall into this category every year.

A second operation may not be the answer, either. Only 30 per cent of patients who have another surgery improve. The rate of success goes down dramatically for third and fourth operations.

Chronic, disabling symptoms may be best treated using a multidisciplinary approach. The team of health care specialists should include the primary care physician, surgeon, physical therapist, and pain management specialist.

There isn't enough evidence in the medical literature to support a specific approach to failed back surgery syndrome. Physicians don't have good guidelines to help them direct patients.

More research is needed to identify the best way to approach the diagnosis and management of the back pain patient who has a poor response to back surgery.