Failed Back Surgery Syndrome

Failed Back Surgery Syndrome services offered in Tampa, Dade City, Venice and New Port Richey, FL

Ongoing pain after back surgery can be frustrating and overwhelming, affecting your comfort, mobility, and everyday activities. At Comprehensive Pain Management Partners, the interventional pain management team can identify the source of your persistent back pain and develop a personalized treatment plan. Call the office nearest you in Tampa, Dade City, Venice, or New Port Richey, Florida, to schedule a consultation or use the online scheduler to get the meaningful relief you deserve.

Failed Back Surgery Syndrome Q&A

What is failed back surgery syndrome?

Failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) is a condition in which you continue to experience chronic back or leg pain after undergoing spinal surgery. While the term may sound alarming, it doesn’t necessarily mean the surgery itself was done incorrectly. Instead, it describes a situation where pain persists, returns, or worsens despite surgical treatment.

Symptoms may include:

Ongoing lower back pain
Radiating leg pain
Numbness
Tingling
Limited mobility

For some individuals, discomfort may appear shortly after surgery, while others notice symptoms months or even years later.

Why do back surgeries fail?

Back surgery may not always deliver the expected relief because the spine is complex, and pain can have multiple sources. In some cases, the original cause of pain wasn’t fully identified before surgery.

Nerve damage, scar tissue formation, or spinal instability can also develop after the procedure. Degeneration in nearby spinal levels may occur over time, creating new pain, even if the surgical area has healed properly.

Other factors include:

Recurring disc herniation
Improper healing
Changes in posture and movement following surgery
Arthritis
Nerve sensitivity
Chronic inflammation

Each patient’s anatomy and healing process is different, which means results can vary even when surgery is technically successful.

How is failed back surgery syndrome treated?

The Comprehensive Pain Management Partners team focuses on identifying the source of pain and creating a personalized plan to improve your comfort and function. A thorough evaluation may include imaging studies, nerve testing, and a detailed review of your symptoms. Treatment options are often nonsurgical and may include a combination of advanced therapies.

Pain-relieving injections can help reduce inflammation around irritated nerves or joints. The team may use radiofrequency ablation to interrupt pain signals coming from specific nerves.

Neuromodulation therapies, such as spinal cord stimulation, can help manage chronic pain by altering how pain signals reach your brain.

Physical therapy, lifestyle modifications, and medication management may also be part of your comprehensive treatment plan.

Failed back surgery syndrome can be frustrating, but effective options are available. If you’re still living with back pain after surgery, schedule a consultation today by calling the helpful office staff to book an appointment or use the online scheduler.