FBSS

FBSS or Failed back syndrome is chronic pain inflicting the back or neck, with optionally occurring extremity pain that could arise in case a spine surgery fails to attain the needed outcome.

Factors observed to contribute to this condition are repeated disc herniation, nerve compression, transformed joint mobility, scars, muscle deconditioning and degenerating facet or sacroiliac joints.

FBSS Symptoms:

• Circulating, dulling and throbbing pain that involves the back and could even affect the legs.
• Patients could experience prickly, sharp-shooting, burning or piercing pain in the extremities.

Diagnostics and Screening Procedures:

• The doctor would re-evaluate the treatment history, especially the kind of surgery performed and what was the reason for doing it.
• Meticulous attention is given on the outcome of the surgery and the manner in which the patient’s symptoms have surfaced subsequent to surgery.
• A physical examination would be performed.
• The doctor could order undergoing imaging techniques like X-rays, Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) scans.

FBSS Treatment:

• Failed back surgery syndrome is treated by either physical therapy, nerve blocks, starting on a course of medicines, shots or an acute and chronic pain management program.
• In case the pain is probably arising from the facet or sacroiliac joints then chiropractic care could be administered.
• At times there is no obtainable correcting cause to the patient’s signs. In such situations spinal cord stimulation or SCS or narcotic pumps could be employed for controlling pain.
• Spinal cord stimulators (SCS) are permanent implants placed in the spinal cord for allaying pain. The procedure is done for converting the excruciating pain into a tingling one that would be perceived by the brain as more bearable. The positioning of tiny leads with multiple electrodes is done over the spinal cord. There are numerous designs available for spinal cord stimulation devices. Spinal cord stimulation could not allay all the pain, though it is especially true in case one has undergone several past spinal surgeries. However, the objective of this treatment is reducing pain in order to enhance quality of life.
• SI or Sacroiliac joint rhizotomy is employed for treating excruciating facet and sacroiliac joints. During Rhizotomy a cautery probe is positioned into the joint. When heat is applied on the end of the probe, it leads to cauterization of the small pain fibers in the joint. The outcome of the procedure is not long lasting; however has greater longevity as compared to shots. Rhizotomy is similar to denervation or neurotomy procedure.

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