The Reason Back Surgeries Fail and What to Do If Yours Does

Failed back surgery, or failed back syndrome, happens when back pain doesn’t sufficiently improve or resolve after you get back surgery.

Getting back surgery in the first place can be a long and intimidating process, so when you don’t get the results you want, it can be disheartening. Fortunately, you’re not at a total loss.

Stephanie Clop, MD, and Alexander Behnaz, MD, specialize in treating failed back syndrome to give you the best chance at recovery at Integrated Spine and Pain Services in Falls Church and Alexandria, Virginia. They can provide some of the latest minimally invasive procedures so you can avoid a second surgery.

In this article, we’ll discuss why back surgeries fail and your best next steps if it happens.

Why back surgery might not improve your pain

Going into back surgery, the thought of pain returning or even intensifying might not even cross your mind. However, back surgery fails in about 5-27% of cases for several reasons. You’re more likely to have failed back syndrome if you had a particularly complex surgery like lumbar spinal fusion.

There are several reasons why back surgery can fail to provide the expected results:

Progressive spinal degeneration or recurrent issues

Some issues worsen after surgery or reappear later, causing pain to return after a back surgery.

Inappropriate surgical techniques

Sometimes, it’s all about the surgical technique. Your surgeon may have used a technique that didn’t adequately resolve the underlying cause of your pain.

Treating the wrong area

Say the cause of your pain was misdiagnosed, or your surgeon mistakenly treated a part of your spine not affected by the underlying cause. Even if the surgery goes smoothly, the underlying cause of your back pain persists.

It’s also possible your pain originated in several areas, but your surgeon only treated one.

Risk factors for failed back syndrome

Some risk factors can make you more likely to have a failed back surgery, including lifestyle factors that make it harder to heal after surgery. You’re at a higher risk of a failed back surgery if you:

Smoke
Have certain pre-existing medical conditions
Have a higher body weight
Have had back surgery in the past
Experience anxiety or depression

Before surgery, discuss these factors in detail with your surgical team. Tell them about your medical history, mental health, and habits.

What to do if back surgery fails

Did your back pain return or even worsen after surgery? Dr. Clop and Dr. Behnaz can tell you about your options for further treatment.

While it might seem like another surgery is the best option, each additional surgery is less likely to be successful. That’s why Integrated Spine and Pain Services emphasizes nonsurgical and minimally invasive strategies for failed back surgery treatment.

After careful evaluation, they may take one or several of these approaches: